If you were expecting a predictable slog through the mud this year, the 2024 Six Nations results probably left you staring at your TV in disbelief more than once. Honestly, it was a bit of a fever dream. We had a dominant Ireland team that looked invincible until they weren't, a French side that basically forgot how to play for three weeks before remembering they’re world-class, and an Italian resurgence that actually—finally—felt real.
Ireland took the trophy home again. Back-to-back titles. That’s the headline, but it barely scratches the surface of the chaos that unfolded between February and March.
The final 2024 Six Nations results and standings
Let’s just look at the cold, hard numbers for a second. Ireland finished on top with 20 points. They won four games and lost one. France managed to scrape into second place with 15 points, which is kind of wild considering how much they struggled early on. England landed in third with 14, Scotland fourth with 12, Italy fifth with 11, and poor Wales ended up with the wooden spoon, dead last with zero wins and only 4 points to their name.
It was the first time since 2003 that Wales failed to win a single game. That’s a long time. Basically a lifetime in rugby terms.
How Ireland stayed on the throne
Andy Farrell’s men started like a freight train. They went to Marseille and absolutely dismantled France 38-17. It wasn't even close. After that, they shut out Italy 36-0 and thumped Wales 31-7. Everyone was talking about a "Grand Slam" like it was already in the bag.
Then came Twickenham.
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England played the game of their lives in Round 4. Marcus Smith slotted a drop goal in the final seconds to win it 23-22, and suddenly the Irish "invincibles" looked human. They still got the job done on the final day, beating Scotland 17-13 in Dublin, but the dream of a "double Grand Slam" vanished.
France and the Le Crunch thriller
France was... weird this year. No Antoine Dupont (he was busy with Sevens) meant they looked lost at times. They nearly lost to Scotland—only saved by a controversial TMO call—and they actually did draw 13-13 with Italy. If Paolo Garbisi’s ball hadn't fallen off the tee in the final seconds of that game, Italy would have won in Lille.
But France saved their best for last.
The final game in Lyon against England was easily the match of the tournament. It was a 33-31 shootout. England scored four tries to France's three, and it looked like Steve Borthwick's side had snatched it when Tommy Freeman went over late. But Thomas Ramos, who was basically a metronome all tournament, stepped up and nailed a penalty from the halfway line with a minute left. Just like that, France jumped into second place.
The Italian revolution is finally here
We’ve spent a decade hearing that Italy is "improving." Usually, that means they lose by 20 points instead of 40. But the 2024 Six Nations results show something different this time. They beat Scotland 31-29 in Rome. They beat Wales 24-21 in Cardiff. They drew with France.
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They finished with 11 points—their best-ever return.
Tommaso Menoncello, their 21-year-old center, was rightfully named Player of the Championship. He was a monster. He’s the youngest winner ever, and honestly, seeing the Azzurri actually compete instead of just surviving was probably the highlight of the whole spring.
Scotland’s "what if" campaign
Scotland is the most frustrating team in world rugby. You’ve got Finn Russell throwing passes that shouldn't be physically possible, and Duhan van der Merwe scoring a hat-trick against England to win the Calcutta Cup 30-21.
But then they lose to Italy.
They finished with two wins and three losses. They were good enough to beat anyone, but inconsistent enough to lose to anyone. Duhan van der Merwe shared the top try-scorer title with Ireland's Dan Sheehan (5 tries each), but individual brilliance couldn't mask the fact that they let a potential top-two finish slip through their fingers.
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Why these results actually matter for the future
If you’re looking for a pattern, it’s that the gap is closing. Sorta. Wales is clearly in a massive rebuilding phase under Warren Gatland, and it's going to be painful for them for a while. England, meanwhile, finally found an attacking identity. They stopped just kicking the ball away and actually started running through the lines, with Ben Earl becoming arguably the best number 8 in the northern hemisphere right now.
The 2024 Six Nations results proved that you can't just show up and expect to win because of the jersey you’re wearing.
Key stats you might have missed:
- Thomas Ramos was the top point scorer with 63.
- James Lowe carried for a staggering 478 meters.
- Michele Lamaro, the Italy captain, made 103 tackles. 103! That’s basically like running into a brick wall for five weeks straight.
- Ireland has now won 10 straight games against Scotland.
Moving forward: What to do now
If you're a fan trying to make sense of where the game is headed after these results, here's how to stay ahead:
- Watch the Italian URC teams: Much of Italy's success came from the cohesion at Benetton. Keep an eye on their domestic form to see if this Six Nations was a fluke or a new era.
- Analyze the "Blitz" defense: England and Ireland are both leaning into high-pressure defensive systems. Watching how teams like France started to "chip" over the top to beat the rush is the next tactical evolution to track.
- Monitor the Welsh youth: Gatland blooded a lot of kids this year (like Cameron Winnett). Their development in the upcoming summer tours will tell you if the 2024 wooden spoon was a one-off or a long-term slump.
The tournament might be over, but the shift in power has just started. Ireland is still the team to beat, but the hunters are getting a lot closer.