Sport

France crowned Six Nations champions after extraordinary final-day drama

Published

3 months ago

March 15, 2026

Ramos penalty in Paris seals title as Ireland fall just short and Wales end losing run

FRANCE were crowned 2026 Six Nations champions in one of the most dramatic finales in the history of the tournament, sealing the title with the final kick of the championship on Saturday (Mar 14).

A tense and thrilling final match in Paris saw Les Bleus edge England 48-46, with full-back Thomas Ramos landing a long-range penalty deep into injury time to secure victory and the title. The kick not only broke English hearts but also ended Ireland’s hopes of reclaiming the trophy after they had earlier beaten Scotland in Dublin.

France finished the championship on 21 points, two ahead of Ireland, securing their second consecutive Six Nations title.

The competition, which ran from early February to mid-March, delivered high-scoring matches, historic upsets and a dramatic three-way title race between France, Ireland and Scotland that was only settled in the final minutes of the final game.

***Ireland were denied the Six Nations championship despite a 43-21 victory over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium, a result which secured the Triple Crown.***

Super Saturday drama decides the championship

The tournament’s climax came on the traditional “Super Saturday”, when all three final matches were played on the same day.

Ireland kept their title hopes alive with a commanding 43-21 victory over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium. The win secured Ireland the Triple Crown, awarded to the home nations side that defeats England, Scotland and Wales in the same championship.

Ireland’s result briefly moved them to the top of the table and meant the championship would be decided later that evening in Paris.

Earlier in the afternoon, Wales hosted Italy in Cardiff. Wales produced one of their best performances of the campaign to defeat Italy 31-17, bringing an end to a long losing run in the championship and giving Welsh supporters something to cheer after a difficult period.

With those results completed, the title race came down to the final match of the tournament — the famous “Le Crunch” clash between France and England.

France and England produce classic encounter

The match in Paris delivered one of the most spectacular contests seen in the Six Nations for many years.

Both teams attacked relentlessly in a remarkable 13-try thriller that swung back and forth throughout the evening.

England, who had endured a difficult campaign, produced arguably their best performance of the tournament and repeatedly took the lead against the defending champions. At one stage they looked set to snatch an unlikely victory after Tommy Freeman’s late try put them ahead.

France, however, refused to give up. In the dying moments, Ramos stepped forward to kick the decisive penalty and send the Stade de France into celebration.

The dramatic finish confirmed France as champions and ensured the 2026 Six Nations would be remembered for one of the most extraordinary finales in the competition’s history.

Three-way title race builds throughout tournament

The championship had been finely balanced across the five rounds.

France began strongly and quickly established themselves as favourites, including a record 54-12 victory over Wales in Cardiff early in the tournament.

However, their hopes of completing a Grand Slam were ended when Scotland produced one of the shocks of the championship, defeating France 50-40 in a high-scoring encounter at Murrayfield.

Ireland also remained firmly in the title race despite suffering a heavy defeat to France earlier in the campaign.

Going into the final weekend, France, Scotland and Ireland were all still capable of winning the championship, setting up one of the most exciting finales the tournament has seen in many years.

Italy make history

One of the most memorable moments of the championship came in Rome when Italy defeated England for the first time in Six Nations history, winning 23-18 in a famous upset.

The victory was a major milestone for Italian rugby and underlined the continued improvement of the Azzurri, who have become increasingly competitive against the tournament’s traditional powers.

Italy ultimately finished fourth in the standings, ahead of both England and Wales.

England endure difficult campaign

Despite their spirited performance against France in the final match, England finished the championship with just one victory from five matches.

Early defeats to Scotland and Ireland, followed by the shock loss to Italy, left Steve Borthwick’s side struggling near the bottom of the table before their impressive attacking display in Paris.

However, the seven tries scored against France offered some encouragement that England may yet rebuild momentum heading into future international competitions.

Wales rebuilding after tough period

For Wales, the 2026 championship was largely about rebuilding confidence after a difficult run of results in recent seasons.

Heavy defeats earlier in the tournament highlighted the scale of the challenge facing Welsh rugby, but the final-round victory against Italy provided a welcome lift and brought an end to a lengthy losing streak in the competition.

Although Wales finished bottom of the table, the performance in Cardiff offered some encouragement for supporters looking for signs of recovery.

Standout players of the championship

Several players produced outstanding performances during the tournament.

France’s Thomas Ramos finished as the championship’s leading points scorer with 74, while winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored nine tries — the most in the tournament and a new Six Nations record for a single campaign.

Their contributions were central to France’s attacking style and proved decisive in the race for the title.

Final standings

France
Ireland
Scotland
Italy
England
Wales

Championship remembered for dramatic finish

The 2026 Six Nations will be remembered as one of the most entertaining and dramatic editions of the tournament.

From Italy’s historic victory over England to Scotland’s upset win against France and the extraordinary final-day drama in Paris, the championship delivered a competition full of twists and high-scoring rugby.

In the end, the title was decided by the very last kick of the tournament — a moment that ensured the 2026 championship will be remembered as one of the great Six Nations campaigns.

Sport

Cricket roundup: Thrillers, centuries and title races heat up in Week 8

Published

1 day ago

June 14, 2026

Herald Sport

SAUNDERSFOOT maintained their place at the top of Division One as the Pembroke County Cricket League entered Week Eight, but there were dramatic finishes, dominant performances and standout individual displays across all six divisions on Saturday.

From a nail-biting one-wicket win for Burton to a huge unbeaten century from Hook’s Aled Phelps and a remarkable 168 not out for Pembroke Dock II’s Callum Power, it was another action-packed weekend of local cricket.

Division One

Saundersfoot stay top as Burton edge thriller

Saundersfoot remain the team to catch after a tense two-wicket victory away at Lawrenny. Chasing 146, they got over the line at 146-8 thanks largely to Tom Mansbridge, who starred with both bat and ball, taking 5-35 before finishing unbeaten on 66.

Neyland kept up the pressure in second after defending 167-9 against Carew, winning by 22 runs. Gareth Lewis struck 69 for Carew, but Neyland’s bowlers held firm.

Burton secured one of the matches of the day, edging Narberth by a single wicket after chasing 175. Martin James top-scored with 71 in a nervy finish.

Cresselly eased to a seven-wicket win over St Ishmaels, while Herbrandston claimed an emphatic 66-run victory over Whitland, helped by Charlie Malloy’s all-round performance of 61 runs and 4-30.

Neyland 167-9 beat Carew 145 all out by 22 runs
St Ishmaels 122-9 lost to Cresselly 126-3 by seven wickets
Burton 177-9 beat Narberth 174 all out by one wicket
Lawrenny 145 all out lost to Saundersfoot 146-8 by two wickets
Herbrandston 195 all out beat Whitland 129 all out by 66 runs

Saundersfoot – 128 pts
Neyland – 111 pts
Carew – 110 pts
Cresselly – 97 pts
Burton – 95 pts
Herbrandston – 93 pts
Narberth – 59 pts
St Ishmaels – 47 pts
Whitland – 45 pts
Lawrenny – 42 pts

Division Two

Phelps smashes unbeaten century for Hook

Hook produced one of the standout performances of the weekend, piling up 245-3 against Cresselly II before sealing an 83-run victory. Aled Phelps stole the show with a superb unbeaten 123.

Pembroke remain top after cruising to a seven-wicket win over Llangwm, with Andrew Hay hitting 54 and Jack Harries adding 47.

Johnston continued their strong campaign with a seven-wicket success over Llanrhian, while Fishguard defeated Llechryd by six wickets.

Haverfordwest made light work of Pembroke Dock, skittling them for just 67 before reaching the target without losing a wicket.

Hook 245-3 beat Cresselly II 162 all out by 83 runs
Pembroke 118-3 beat Llangwm 115 all out by seven wickets
Johnston 134-3 beat Llanrhian 130 all out by seven wickets
Fishguard 156-4 beat Llechryd 151 all out by six wickets
Haverfordwest 68-0 beat Pembroke Dock 67 all out by ten wickets

Pembroke – 125 pts
Johnston – 123 pts
Hook – 119 pts
Haverfordwest – 115 pts
Cresselly II – 109 pts
Fishguard – 76 pts
Pembroke Dock – 67 pts
Llanrhian – 66 pts
Llangwm – 60 pts
Llechryd – 45 pts

Division Three

Laugharne run riot with 303

Laugharne produced the most dominant display of the weekend, hammering 303-5 before dismissing Stackpole for just 79 in a crushing 224-run victory.

Matt Tait smashed 119, while Brendan McCay remained unbeaten on 88 in a devastating batting display.

Carew II edged Haverfordwest II by seven runs in a close contest, while Lamphey eased to a nine-wicket victory over Hundleton.

Pembroke II comfortably defeated Kilgetty by six wickets, and Burton II beat Saundersfoot II by eight wickets.

Burton II 101-2 beat Saundersfoot II 100 all out by eight wickets
Carew II 187-5 beat Haverfordwest II 180-9 by seven runs
Lamphey 106-1 beat Hundleton 103 all out by nine wickets
Pembroke II 86-4 beat Kilgetty 84 all out by six wickets
Laugharne 303-5 beat Stackpole 79 all out by 224 runs

Laugharne – 124 pts
Carew II – 107 pts
Kilgetty – 104 pts
Lamphey – 93 pts
Pembroke II – 92 pts
Saundersfoot II – 83 pts
Burton II – 82 pts
Hundleton – 61 pts
Haverfordwest II – 57 pts
Stackpole – 31 pts

Division Four

St Ishmaels II hit 204 in dominant display

St Ishmaels II were among the weekend’s biggest winners, racking up 204-7 before dismissing Llechryd II for 68 to seal a 136-run victory.

Crymych swept aside Neyland II by 100 runs, while Lawrenny II brushed off Narberth II by nine wickets after bowling them out for just 44.

Hook II edged past Haverfordwest III by five wickets, and Herbrandston II comfortably defeated Carew III.

Hook II 135-5 beat Haverfordwest III 134-8 by five wickets
Herbrandston II 176-8 beat Carew III 97 all out by 79 runs
Lawrenny II 45-1 beat Narberth II 44 all out by nine wickets
Crymych 152-4 beat Neyland II 52 all out by 100 runs
St Ishmaels II 204-7 beat Llechryd II 68 all out by 136 runs

St Ishmaels II – 112 pts
Hook II – 103 pts
Lawrenny II – 100 pts
Narberth II – 94 pts
Crymych – 87 pts
Neyland II – 85 pts
Herbrandston II – 84 pts
Llechryd II – 77 pts
Haverfordwest III – 64 pts
Carew III – 45 pts

Division Five

Power smashes unbeaten 168

Callum Power delivered the innings of the week, blasting an unbeaten 168 as Pembroke Dock II piled up 312-2 before beating Llechryd III by 179 runs.

Whitland II also impressed, with Andrew Fletcher smashing an unbeaten 134 in a commanding win over Hundleton II.

Cresselly III strengthened their grip on top spot with a ten-wicket victory over Llanrhian II, while Pembroke III beat Llangwm II by eight wickets.

Pembroke III 139-2 beat Llangwm II 138 all out by eight wickets
Cresselly III 64-0 beat Llanrhian II 62 all out by ten wickets
Pembroke Dock II 312-2 beat Llechryd III 133 all out by 179 runs
Whitland II 249-3 beat Hundleton II 91-8 by 158 runs

Cresselly III – 126 pts
Llangwm II – 105 pts
Whitland II – 100 pts
Llanrhian II – 89 pts
Pembroke III – 59 pts
Pembroke Dock II – 56 pts
Llechryd III – 38 pts
Hundleton II – 28 pts

Division Six

Lamphey II continue charge

Lamphey II kept up their promotion push with a dramatic two-wicket victory over Neyland III, chasing down 136 thanks to Jon Edwards’ unbeaten 65.

Haverfordwest IV remain top after beating Laugharne II by 76 runs, with Richard Scriven carrying his bat for 83 not out.

Whitland III defeated Kilgetty II by six wickets in a low-scoring affair, while Haverfordwest/Cresselly had a bye week.

Lamphey II 136-8 beat Neyland III 135 all out by two wickets
Whitland III 59-4 beat Kilgetty II 54 all out by six wickets
Haverfordwest IV 173-6 beat Laugharne II 97 all out by 76 runs
Haverfordwest/Cresselly – Bye

Haverfordwest IV – 101 pts
Lamphey II – 96 pts
Whitland III – 93 pts
Neyland III – 84 pts
Laugharne II – 65 pts
Haverfordwest/Cresselly – 52 pts
Kilgetty II – 23 pts

Players of the week

Callum Power (Pembroke Dock II) – 168 not out
Aled Phelps (Hook) – 123 not out
Matt Tait (Laugharne) – 119
Andrew Fletcher (Whitland II) – 134 not out
Charlie Malloy (Herbrandston) – 61 and 4-30
Tom Mansbridge (Saundersfoot) – 66 not out and 5-35

Business

Goodwick Bowls Club row with council over signage

Published

2 days ago

June 13, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE town bowls club’s call on planners to let it keep advertising signs for local businesses which help support its operations has been turned down.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Fishguard & Goodwick Bowls Club, Wern Road, Goodwick sought retrospective permission for up to 36 signs on land close to the town’s Phoenix Centre.

The signs had been in place for some 18 months, being removed ahead of the formal planning application.

A supporting statement accompanying the application says: “This application seeks retrospective consent for the display of up to 36 non-illuminated, single-sided advertisement panels mounted to an existing timber boundary fence.

It said the advertisements are modest in scale, facing an existing large car park rather than nearby residential properties and does not project over any public highway or footpath.

It added: “The advertisement signs have been temporarily removed while planning permission is sought. The advertisements and fence had been in place for approximately 18 months prior to their temporary removal, during which time no complaints were received.

“The total number of advertisements has been consciously limited, and not all fence bays display signage, ensuring that the proposal does not result in harm to visual amenity or public safety.

“The income generated from the advertisements provides an important source of revenue for the Fishguard and Goodwick Bowls Club, supporting the ongoing operation and maintenance of local community sporting facilities.

“The advertising panels also offer local businesses an affordable and accessible means of promotion within the community.”

An officer report recommending refusal said two objections to the scheme were received, raising issues over discrepancies in the application and the scheme having no merit, being “at odds with the established character and appearance of the area”.

The report added: “While it is acknowledged that businesses have a reasonable need to advertise their presence and services, such advertisements must be appropriately sited and designed to ensure they do not detract from the visual amenity of the area.”

It went on to say: “It is considered that the proposed advertisements are inappropriately sited relative to their functional purpose. The cumulative impact arising from the proliferation of signage in close proximity, extending along the entirety of the boundary fencing, results in a visually cluttered and intrusive form of development.

“Furthermore, the scale and number of the proposed 36 advertisement boards is considered excessive and not reasonably necessary, giving rise to a harmful impact on the visual amenity of the surrounding area.”

The application was refused by planners on the grounds it was “an excessive concentration of signage within the locality, creating visual clutter that would harm the visual amenity and undermine the character and appearance of the site and its surroundings”.

Sport

Cilgerran woman attempts extraordinary triathlon challenge for children’s charities

Published

3 days ago

June 12, 2026

Herald Sport

Hannah-Mae Samson taking on unofficial women’s world-record distance in aid of hospital that cared for little Efa

A WOMAN from Cilgerran is taking on an extraordinary endurance challenge today (Friday, Jun 12) in a bid to raise money for two children’s charities close to her family’s heart.

Hannah-Mae Samson, 34, began the mammoth challenge at 6:00am with an 11-kilometre swim at Crymych Leisure Centre before embarking on a 322-kilometre cycle ride and an 80-kilometre run.

The total distance, which Hannah believes could amount to an unofficial women’s world-record triathlon, is expected to take around 30 hours of continuous effort, with a finish anticipated around lunchtime on Saturday.

The fundraiser is being held in support of Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Sandy Bear Bereavement Charity.

The challenge is particularly personal for Hannah after Birmingham Children’s Hospital cared for Efa, the young daughter of her cousin Rachel Powner, who was diagnosed with craniosynostosis at just nine months old.

The rare condition affects the bones of the skull and can stop it growing properly. Efa underwent major surgery lasting around seven hours and will continue to receive specialist check-ups until she is 15 years old.

Rachel, whose family lives near Llandysul, said the support from Hannah meant a great deal.

She said: “What Hannah is doing means so much to us. We’re so grateful to her for raising money for the charity, having seen the amazing work they do.”

Now approaching her second birthday in September, Efa is said to be developing well following treatment last October.

Hannah told BBC Cymru Fyw the challenge would be the toughest thing she had ever attempted, both physically and mentally.

“It will mean sleepless nights and around 30 hours of continuous effort,” she said.

“But if a challenge doesn’t scare you, is it really a challenge?”

Months of preparation have gone into the event, with Hannah training twice a day and completing up to 23 hours of training during her toughest weeks.

By day, Hannah works as a plumber and joked that even her rest days involved physical work.

“I’m a plumber – not a typical job among women – so when I have a rest day, I’m plumbing!” she said.

“It helps with strength training!”

The second charity to benefit, Sandy Bear Bereavement Charity, supports children and young people in Pembrokeshire and west Wales who are coping with grief following the loss of someone close to them.

Hannah said she had been surprised by how many local people had told her they had received help from the charity.

Rachel and her partner, Huw Jones, are expected to join Hannah for part of the run to support and encourage her through the final stages of the challenge.

The family hope the fundraiser will not only raise money but also awareness of craniosynostosis and the work carried out by the charities supporting families during difficult times.

Photo caption: Going the distance: Hannah-Mae Samson, from Cilgerran, is attempting an extraordinary long-distance triathlon challenge in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Sandy Bear Bereavement Charity (Pic: BBC Cymru Wales).