Six Nations: How France’s Style is Changing Northern Hemisphere Rugby
France secured another Six Nations title this year, a victory increasingly attributed to a shift in playing style that has seen them embrace a more expansive, attacking brand of rugby, mirroring the free-flowing nature of Super Rugby. The final tournament standings reflected a record-breaking try-scoring rate, with 111 tries scored across 15 games, a significant increase from previous years.
The transformation isn’t limited to France’s success. Opponents, notably Scotland and England, have demonstrably altered their approaches, seemingly compelled to engage in the same high-octane style of play. Twenty-six tries were scored in the final two rounds of the competition alone, a figure that would have previously constituted a full championship’s worth of scoring.
This change is not merely about scoring more tries; it represents a fundamental shift in the northern hemisphere’s rugby philosophy. Traditionally, northern hemisphere rugby prioritized set-piece dominance and tactical game management. Now, as detailed in analysis of the tournament, a willingness to embrace chaos and prioritize attacking flair is becoming increasingly prevalent. Fabien Galthié’s France epitomizes this approach, aiming to score six tries even if conceding four or five, prioritizing an exhilarating “shootout” over rigid control.
The impact extends beyond the pitch. Television viewership surged, with eight million viewers tuning in to the crucial match between France and England on France 2, peaking at 9.5 million. Over 35 million viewers watched Les Bleus throughout the Six Nations, according to Arnaud Beurdely of Midi Olympique, demonstrating a growing national enthusiasm for the team and its style of play.
Statistical comparisons between the recent Six Nations and the 2025 Rugby Championship suggest a role reversal. The Six Nations is now characterized by longer periods of open play and a burgeoning try-scoring profile. Referees are also contributing to this shift, with the number of penalties per game in the Six Nations steadily decreasing, even as the Rugby Championship remains above 20 penalties per game.
The kicking game, initially a focus at the start of the tournament with an average of 79 kicks per game in the first round, diminished in importance as the competition progressed. England, initially reliant on tactical kicking, were ultimately forced to abandon this approach in the final round against France. The Six Nations now leads in key attacking metrics like ruck-building and offloading, with less reliance on set-pieces to initiate attacks.
Interestingly, the competition at the breakdown has increased in the southern hemisphere, with greater contest for possession at source and a higher retention rate of own throw lineouts. However, the impact of the scrum in controlling the tempo of the game remains more pronounced in the Rugby Championship, exemplified by South Africa’s dominance in this area. Matches involving the Springboks featured an average of only 34.5 minutes of ball-in-play time, significantly lower than other teams in the tournament, reflecting their preference for a more explosive, stop-start rhythm.
A team of the tournament, based on raw statistics, is heavily populated by French players. Toulon’s Jean-Baptiste Gros stands out as an elite defender among the props, averaging 16.6 tackles per game. Giacomo Nicotera of Italy impressed with his scrummaging and work rate, averaging 16 tackles and 123 ruck involvements. England’s Joe Heyes anchored their scrum while contributing significantly to cleanouts. Mickael Guillard of France was a dominant force in the second row, averaging 18.6 tackles per game, while Ollie Chessum excelled in the lineout, winning 32 lineouts – 11 more than any other player.
Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne proved a “test match animal,” excelling in the lineout and breakdown, while Oscar Jégou showcased versatility with strong tackling, breakdown work, and carrying ability. Saracens’ Ben Earl led all forward ball-carriers with 21 runs for 117 metres per 80. Jamison Gibson-Park rebounded from a slow autumn to become pivotal to Ireland’s revival, and Matthieu Jalibert’s creative playmaking for France was highlighted by his offloads, break assists, and try assists. Louis Bielle-Biarrey emerged as a lethal finisher, while Tommaso Menoncello of Italy demonstrated powerful running and tackle-breaking ability. Kyle Steyn of Scotland excelled in the air, and Thomas Ramos proved reliable in goal-kicking.
The composition of the team, and the statistical trends underpinning it, suggest a fundamental shift in the landscape of international rugby, with the northern hemisphere increasingly adopting a style of play previously associated with the southern hemisphere’s Super Rugby competition.