Six Nations 2024: Fixtures, results, final-round permutations and table

Everything you need to know about the 2024 championship, including the final-round permutations, start times and latest odds

The 2024 Six Nations enters its final weekend with the championship still on the line. After England beat Ireland in the last round of fixtures it means that a possible four teams can still claim the title. 
On ‘Super Saturday’, March 16, England head to France with Scotland facing Ireland in Dublin. It is mathematically possible for any of those teams to win, although Ireland are the heavy favourites with England next best and very much outsiders. Ireland will be aiming for a second successive title while England are targeting their first since 2020. 
With Ireland playing first and only needing two points to retain their crown, it is possible that by the time England begin in Lyon they will be playing to confirm second place. The last time Ireland lost to Scotland was in 2017 and not since 2001 have the Scots beaten Ireland by more than seven points in the Six Nations. 
Italy and Wales face off in Cardiff for what is in effect the wooden spoon match. Wales centre George North has announced that he will retire from international rugby after Saturday’s game.
Fixtures this year are being shown on both the BBC and ITV in the UK. Live streams are available for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX apps, and can be downloaded on mobile or tablet devices.
The long-term future of the Six Nations on free-to-air TV is uncertain after the British Government rejected calls to add the tournament to the list of sporting events that must be shown for free. That has caused consternation from seasoned observers like Martin Bayfield, who believes the tournament is not being properly promoted.
All times GMT
Saturday, March 16: Wales v Italy
Kick-off: 2.15pmVenue: Principality Stadium, CardiffReferee: Mathieu Raynal (Fra)Channel: BBC
Saturday, March 16: Ireland v Scotland 
Kick-off: 4.45pmVenue: Aviva Stadium, DublinReferee: Matthew Carley (Eng)Channel: ITV
Saturday, March 16: France v England
Kick-off: 8pmVenue: Groupama Stadium, LyonReferee: Angus Gardner (Aus)Channel: ITV
By Will Conroy
A team is awarded four points for a win and two for a draw. A try bonus point is awarded for scoring four or more tries in a game, while a losing bonus point can be secured for losing by seven or fewer points.
The reigning champions sit top of the table on 16 points having won three of their four fixtures and picking up a bonus point in each.
If Andy Farrell’s side avoid defeat against Scotland in Dublin on Saturday, they will secure their second successive Six Nations title, and sixth in total.
England are four points adrift of the Irish having also won three of their four matches but failing to pick up a bonus point in the campaign so far.
However, their dramatic 23-22 victory over Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday, that was decided by a Marcus Smith drop-goal in the final seconds, has kept their hopes alive of an eighth Six Nations victory.
If Ireland were to lose against Scotland, without a bonus point, Steve Borthwick’s side would go one point clear of Ireland and be crowned champions if they beat France in Lyon and secure a bonus point themselves.
This result would unlikely be enough for the title without a bonus point or if the Irish were defeated in Dublin but gained a losing bonus point, due to Ireland’s far superior points difference.
After a disappointing defeat in Rome on Saturday, Scotland slipped to third, one point behind England, and level on points (11) and points difference (4) with France.
To make up the five-point deficit to Ireland, Scotland would need to beat Farrell’s side, gain a try bonus point, and, as far as points are concerned, win by a big margin to prevent an Irish losing bonus point.
There would need to be a significant points difference swing anyway. Gregor Townsend’s side would need to win by a margin of greater than 38 points to make up the gap with Ireland.
If Scotland could achieve this remarkable feat, they would need England to lose, draw or win without a bonus point for a chance to claim the title.
If the French were to win against England, Townsend’s team would need to better their result in terms of gaining a bonus point and the margin of the win, due to their identical points difference.
France’s resounding victory over Wales on Sunday saw them gain their first bonus point of this year’s tournament and go level with Scotland.
Should Scotland beat Ireland in the earlier game, Fabien Galthie’s side could claim the title if they beat England with a bonus point and outperform Scotland in terms of points difference.
Ironically, France could do with Scotland beating Ireland by a convincing margin to chip away at Ireland’s outstanding points difference of 80.
After their first Six Nations win at home in 11 years against Scotland on Saturday, Italy are bidding to end their run of eight bottom-placed finishes and will do so if they avoid defeat in Cardiff.
Gonzalo Quesada’s side have a four-point advantage over Wales having drawn against the French ahead of their victory over Scotland, and will be looking up the table as well as down.
If Italy were to beat Wales, as they did in Cardiff two years ago, they would go level on points with France and Scotland, although likely with an inferior points difference.
But should they secure the try bonus point too, they would climb one point above these sides ahead of their respective fixtures.
Wales have had a miserable Six Nations campaign so far, losing all four of their games, most recently in the crushing home defeat against France, as they face their first whitewash since 2003.
Warren Gatland’s side have amassed three bonus points, however, giving them the chance to climb from the foot of the table in a must-win clash against the Italians.
If the Welsh beat Italy, gain a try bonus point and prevent an Italian losing bonus point, they will go one point clear of their opponents.
Should Wales win, and neither side gain bonus points, the teams will be level on points but these circumstances would stipulate that Wales won by a margin of more than seven – enough to swing the points difference in their favour.
If a Welsh win involved both sides securing a bonus point, a margin of victory less than six points would be enough for the Italians to hold on to fifth spot on points difference.
The final round is on Saturday, March 16 – aka ‘Super Saturday’ – with all three matches on the same day.
Odds correct on March 15