Stats & facts

England evaded a higher share of the tackles that they faced than any other team in the opening round of this year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations (28%) and as a result were the only side to beat over 30 defenders (33) – Steve Borthwick’s side also gained the most metres per carry of any nation last weekend (4.1).

15 of England’s last 17 games have been decided by single figure margins, including all six of their Six Nations fixtures during that spell, with the only exceptions being two comfortable victories against Japan (52-17 and 59-14).

France made the most attacking 22 entries (12) and scored the most points per entry (3.6) of any team in Round 1 of the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations; Les Bleus also conceded the joint-fewest defensive 22 entries of any side last weekend (5) and were the only team not to concede a single point.

France back-rower Gregory Alldritt made the joint-most carries of any player in Round 1 of the 2025 Six Nations (18) and was one of just two players to make 30+ metres in contact (32).

England’s Tom Curry won the most turnovers of any player across the opening round of this year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations, securing three jackals from the 12 rucks he hit, while his twin brother Ben Curry ranked joint-first for dominant tackles with four.

France have lost just one of their last 11 Tests (W9, D1), winning their last four in a row; they did lose their most recent away game (v Argentina in July) but haven’t lost consecutive matches on the road since 2021, which included a Six Nations defeat to England at Allianz Stadium.