France's Rugby Dominance Captivates Media and Viewers in 2026 Six Nations

The XV de France has firmly established itself as the leading force in the 2026 Six Nations Tournament, drawing praise and high expectations from foreign media while attracting record viewership in France.

The French team currently leads the tournament, having secured victories over Ireland, Wales, and Italy, with a pivotal match against Scotland on March 7, 2026, that could confirm their tournament victory. According to various international outlets, only a Grand Slam would satisfy the high standards set by their performance. Planet Rugby describes France as "seemingly invincible," with The Guardian hailing the players as "great artists," and The Telegraph questioning if anyone can halt their momentum. Ireland’s The Irish Examiner also acknowledges their strong position to defend the title.

On the media front, the Six Nations has proven remarkably popular with French audiences this year. Following France Télévisions’ partial sale of broadcasting rights to TF1 due to financial constraints, the tournament has maintained record-breaking viewership numbers. The France-Italy match attracted 7.5 million viewers, peaking at 8.8 million—the highest for the 2026 edition and a record for France-Italy fixtures in the tournament. Previous matches, including France against Ireland and Wales, also drew over 7 million viewers, underscoring the tournament’s status as a marquee event in French television.

The combination of on-field dominance and the growing popularity of the Six Nations in France reflects the sport's deep cultural resonance, with expectations now firmly fixed on France achieving the coveted Grand Slam this season.