Six Nations review: France saves Galthié, England has mojo back and aging Ireland squad

LONDON (AP) — Finished: 1st

The debrief: Murmurings about whether Fabien Galthié was the right coach to lead the team to the 2027 Rugby World Cup have been silenced after he delivered the second Six Nations title on his five-year watch. Until now, the 2022 title had been insufficient reward for a team backstopped by the Top 14 and a pipeline of young talent from the last four under-20 world championships, three of them won by France. Galthié has had everything in his favor but he somehow managed to miss out at the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Six Nations. The main regret this tournament was the mystifying loss to England at Twickenham, where France was on top everywhere but the scoreboard. Winning that would have sweetened France’s 19th championship with an 11th Grand Slam. But the defeat made Galthié take a page from the book of Rassie Erasmus and copy South Africa's 7-1 “bomb squad” bench. Italy, Ireland and Scotland couldn't handle le bomb squad. The future looks encouraging. Of the matchday 23 on Saturday, 17 were under age 30. Their trophy win came a day after the under-20s won their championship, pulling off France's first men's double. Captain Antoine Dupont should be back for the autumn tests after rupturing his ACL this month.

Best player: Louis Bielle-Biarrey. The first man in 100 years to score eight tries in one tournament. The third in the Six Nations era to touch down in every match.

Quote: “Lifting a title, leaving your mark on history, seeing family members smiling in the crowds, making them proud are unforgettable moments. That's what you play for.” — No. 8 Gregory Alldritt

Who’s next? New Zealand in Wellington, July 12

Finished: 2nd

The debrief: England has its mojo back. It was a stressful process. A team that lost matches it should have won last year began winning matches that it should have lost — see France and Scotland, both won by a point. The earned pinch of confidence was then turned into blowout wins over Italy and Wales. Coach Steve Borthwick made increasingly bold decisions, starting with making Maro Itoje captain, debuting Cadan Murley, pairing the Curry twins together, starting Fin Smith, recalling Elliot Daly, Fraser Dingwall and George Ford, and debuting Henry Pollock. But Borthwick struggled to find Marcus Smith’s best place. He started at flyhalf, was shifted to fullback, dropped, and returned to fullback. While Fin Smith enhanced his credentials at 10, Marcus Smith scratched about at 15, seemingly keeping the jersey warm until George Furbank returns from a broken arm.

Best player: Tom Curry. Sometimes outshone by his twin, Ben, and fellow backrower Ben Earl but better than them consistently and worked to the point of exhaustion.

Quote: “Coaching England comes with an expectation. I'd rather work in a job that has an expectation on it than a team that has no expectations.” — Borthwick

Who's next? Argentina in Buenos Aires, July 5

Finished: 3rd

The debrief: There's a reason only one team in 50 years — France in the late 1980s — has won three straight championships. One defeat doesn't mean the wheels have fallen off Triple Crown winner Ireland but the manner of that home defeat, to France by 42-27, will be a worry until it can refresh its bench with the power to withstand France's reserves. The psychological impact seemed to further age Ireland. Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy have retired and at least nine more front-line players — including Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Bundee Aki and James Lowe — are 30 or over. Steered by novice flyhalf Sam Prendergast, the Irish produced in enough spurts to stay in the title race. Minus a large group of Lions, Ireland will use a July tour of Georgia and Portugal to start filling holes left by their departed greats.

Best player: James Lowe. Regularly beat his first marker and always a handful. Was missed against France.

Quote: “We have started the process of evolving.” — interim coach Simon Easterby

Who's next? Georgia in Tbilisi, July 5

Finished: 4th

The debrief: Scotland hasn't contended for the title in this century, and won't until it can pair world-class backs with a world-class pack. And then it has to fill the bench, too. That's asking too much from a country with only two professional clubs and an open door to Scottish heritage players anywhere in the world. The backline showed flashes of brilliance, making the absence of injured captain and inside center Sione Tuipulotu harder to bear. Tom Jordan was a more-than-useful stand-in. Lock Scott Cummings was another critical late injury blow. Jamie Ritchie and Rory Darge were class forwards but when the pack tiredthe lack of depth was exposed. Gregor Townsend, the coach since 2017, has one more Six Nations in his contract.

Best player: Blair Kinghorn. Led the tournament in carries, meters gained, linebreaks and offloads.

Quote: “No, if we don't win when we have a lot of the game, that's where we're going to finish.” — Townsend when asked if Scotland deserved better than fourth.

Who's next? New Zealand Maori in Whangarei, July 5

Finished: 5th

The debrief: A step back from a year ago when it won twice and drew with France. Italy managed again to avoid the wooden spoon but its only win was at home against Warren Gatland's Wales, before Wales was revived by new coach Matt Sherratt. Up to that point, Italy was doing well, including a late rally at Murrayfield. But then the art of tackling was forgotten. Italy conceded 18 tries to France and England and salvaged some pride only by producing its best performance in the last round and threatening to upset Ireland at home.

Best player: Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex. The best midfield in the competition, again.

Quote: “We know we can play at a level very close to that of the best in the world. The question arises naturally: Why can't we do what we offered today against France? Or against England? Or throughout the Six Nations?” — winger Ange Capuozzo

Who's next? South Africa at Pretoria, July 5

Finished: 6th

The debrief: The losing streak stands at 17, the longest by a tier one national team in the professional era. It's been more than 520 days since Wales' last win. The Welsh appeared to have hit rock bottom in the loss at Italy that prompted Warren Gatland's exit. Matt Sherratt agreed to step in, and Wales responded with enough verve and fight to encourage hope of turning over a wary England. But despite willing endeavor, England put on an historic 68 points. Sherratt confirmed he's going back to Cardiff club. The Welsh Rugby Union is still seeking a permanent coach but it also has to be worried about its money-maker: home tests. New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina are lined up in November but fans won't be going if the WRU doesn't offer transparent plans on fixing its deep-rooted problems.

Best player: Jac Morgan. The Sergio Parisse of Wales.

Quote: “I'm gutted that I couldn't help them get a win. They deserve one. They honestly do. I'm disappointed I couldn't get some smiles on faces in that dressing room.” — Sherratt

Who's next? Japan at Kitakyushu, July 5

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

England's Luke Cowan-Dickie stretches to tackle Wales' Blair Murray during the Six Nations rugby union match between Wales and England at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Italy's Juan Ignacio Brex, is tackled by England's Alex Mitchell, right and England's Ben Earl during the Six Nations rugby match between England and Italy at Twickenham stadium in London, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

Scotland's Blair Kinghorn scores their side's first try of the game during the Men's Six Nations rugby union match between Scotland and Wales the Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)

Ireland's James Lowe, jumps over Italy's Ange Capuozzo during the Six Nations rugby match between Italy and Ireland, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

England's Tom Curry dives over the line to score a try during the Six Nations rugby match between England and Italy at Twickenham stadium in London, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

England's Henry Pollock celebrates after England's Joe Heyes scored a try during the Six Nations rugby union match between Wales and England at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

France's Antoine Dupont stands on the pitch on crutches as he celebrates with teammates after the Six Nations rugby union match between France and Scotland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

France's coach Fabien Galthie watches as he team warm-up before the Six Nations rugby union match between France and Scotland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran has proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic as an ongoing crackdown on demonstrators has led to hundreds of deaths.

Trump said late Sunday that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports mount of increasing deaths and the government continues to arrest protesters.

“The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night.

Iran did not acknowledge Trump’s comments immediately. It has previously warned the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has accurately reported on past unrest in Iran, gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran cross checking information. It said at least 544 people have been killed so far, including 496 protesters and 48 people from the security forces. It said more than 10,600 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests.

With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. Iran’s government has not offered overall casualty figures.

The Latest:

A witness told the AP that the streets of Tehran empty at the sunset call to prayers each night.

Part of that stems from the fear of getting caught in the crackdown. Police sent the public a text message that warned: “Given the presence of terrorist groups and armed individuals in some gatherings last night and their plans to cause death, and the firm decision to not tolerate any appeasement and to deal decisively with the rioters, families are strongly advised to take care of their youth and teenagers.”

Another text, addressed “Dear parents,” which claimed to come from the intelligence arm of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, also directly warned people not to take part in demonstrations.

The witness spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing crackdown.

—- By Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Iran drew tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators to the streets Monday in a show of power after nationwide protests challenging the country’s theocracy.

Iranian state television showed images of demonstrators thronging Tehran toward Enghelab Square in the capital.

It called the demonstration an “Iranian uprising against American-Zionist terrorism,” without addressing the underlying anger in the country over the nation’s ailing economy. That sparked the protests over two weeks ago.

State television aired images of such demonstrations around the country, trying to signal it had overcome the protests, as claimed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier in the day.

China says it opposes the use of force in international relations and expressed hope the Iranian government and people are “able to overcome the current difficulties and maintain national stability.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday that Beijing “always opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs, maintains that the sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law, and opposes the use or threat of use of force in international relations.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned “in the strongest terms the violence that the leadership in Iran is directing against its own people.”

He said it was a sign of weakness rather than strength, adding that “this violence must end.”

Merz said during a visit to India that the demonstrators deserve “the greatest respect” for the courage with which “they are resisting the disproportional, brutal violence of Iranian security forces.”

He said: “I call on the Iranian leadership to protect its population rather than threatening it.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday suggested that a channel remained open with the United States.

Esmail Baghaei made the comment during a news conference in Tehran.

“It is open and whenever needed, through that channel, the necessary messages are exchanged,” he said.

However, Baghaei said such talks needed to be “based on the acceptance of mutual interests and concerns, not a negotiation that is one-sided, unilateral and based on dictation.”

The semiofficial Fars news agency in Iran, which is close to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, on Monday began calling out Iranian celebrities and leaders on social media who have expressed support for the protests over the past two weeks, especially before the internet was shut down.

The threat comes as writers and other cultural leaders were targeted even before protests. The news agency highlighted specific celebrities who posted in solidarity with the protesters and scolded them for not condemning vandalism and destruction to public property or the deaths of security forces killed during clashes. The news agency accused those celebrities and leaders of inciting riots by expressing their support.

Canada said it “stands with the brave people of Iran” in a statement on social media that strongly condemned the killing of protesters during widespread protests that have rocked the country over the past two weeks.

“The Iranian regime must halt its horrific repression and intimidation and respect the human rights of its citizens,” Canada’s government said on Monday.

Iran’s foreign minister claimed Monday that “the situation has come under total control” after a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests in the country.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

Iran’s foreign minister alleged Monday that nationwide protests in his nation “turned violent and bloody to give an excuse” for U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim, which comes after over 500 have been reported killed by activists -- the vast majority coming from demonstrators.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

Iran has summoned the British ambassador over protesters twice taking down the Iranian flag at their embassy in London.

Iranian state television also said Monday that it complained about “certain terrorist organization that, under the guise of media, spread lies and promote violence and terrorism.” The United Kingdom is home to offices of the BBC’s Persian service and Iran International, both which long have been targeted by Iran.

A huge crowd of demonstrators, some waving the flag of Iran, gathered Sunday afternoon along Veteran Avenue in LA’s Westwood neighborhood to protest against the Iranian government. Police eventually issued a dispersal order, and by early evening only about a hundred protesters were still in the area, ABC7 reported.

Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran.

Los Angeles police responded Sunday after somebody drove a U-Haul box truck down a street crowded with the the demonstrators, causing protesters to scramble out of the way and then run after the speeding vehicle to try to attack the driver. A police statement said one person was hit by the truck but nobody was seriously hurt.

The driver, a man who was not identified, was detained “pending further investigation,” police said in a statement Sunday evening.

Shiite Muslims hold placards and chant slogans during a protest against the U.S. and show solidarity with Iran in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Activists carrying a photograph of Reza Pahlavi take part in a rally supporting protesters in Iran at Lafayette Park, across from the White House, in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Activists take part in a rally supporting protesters in Iran at Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Protesters burn the Iranian national flag during a rally in support of the nationwide mass demonstrations in Iran against the government in Paris, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)