The Breakdown | From Ramos to Carré: selecting the best XV of the 2026 Six Nations
The champions France lead with five players but every side is represented in pick from a tournament to savour15.Thomas Ramos FrancePlays like the lovechild of Mike Brown and Thomas Castaignède with Jonny Wilkinson levels of marksmanship thrown in.There was never any doubt he would nail that decisive final winning penalty in Paris, just as he did against England in Lyon two years ago.The 30-year-old is the first player to be the top points-scorer in four successive championships and now tops France’s all-time list.14.
Kyle Steyn ScotlandWhen Scotland and Glasgow play well, the influential Steyn is one of the main reasons why.His interception try from Antoine Dupont’s deflected pass against France at Murrayfield, his second score of the game, neatly summed up his game awareness and pace.His ability to beat defenders and compete strongly in the air also set him apart, although the impressive Rob Baloucoune deserves a mention.13.Tommaso Menoncello ItalyStill only 23 but fast emerging as the best centre in Europe.
Strong, quick and committed, and his solo try in his side’s historic win against England was merely the most obvious illustration of his talent.There are plenty of good reasons why Toulouse have signed him for next season; the blacksmith’s son looks the complete package.Known to his teammates as the “Toucan” – in tribute to his nose – he even beat Maro Itoje’s grip‑strength test result earlier this season.12.Stuart McCloskey Ireland The midfield revelation of the tournament, so good that Ireland barely missed Bundee Aki.
He posed England all kinds of problems and his work rate with and without the ball was also conspicuous.Tracking back to deny Marcus Smith a potential try at Twickenham was a prime example and no one had better tournament starts for dominant collisions, turnovers or try assists.11.Louis Bielle-Biarrey France A record nine tries in the same championship season, including four against England, is merely the aperitif.The first man to score in every game in successive seasons, he now has 29 tries in 27 appearances for France and is already the joint-fifth highest try-scorer in the tournament’s history with 18 in 14 games.
At just 22 he also has the vision to match his blinding pace, making him the nearest thing to a cheat code in modern rugby.10.Finn Russell ScotlandMatthieu Jalibert was inspired at times but in terms of pulling the tactical strings, varying his game and helping those around him to thrive, Russell just edges it.As ever, he was at the heart of Scotland’s stirring home wins over England and France and his quick restart for Darcy Graham’s crucial late try in Cardiff summed up his alertness.He turns 34 next September and Scotland should cherish him while they still can.
9,Jamison Gibson-Park Ireland The final weekend was, in part, a winner-takes-all showdown between Gibson-Park and Scotland’s Ben White,White had a fine championship but Gibson-Park’s authoritative display against England was right out of the top drawer and Ireland’s commanding win over the Scots further tipped the balance,Not all the British & Irish Lions of last year have been bursting with energy but Gibson‑Park, now 34, remains pivotal to Irish ambitions,1.
Rhys Carré WalesEarns his place for more than just that try.When your fitness has been pointedly questioned by a previous national coach it is not easy to reinvent yourself as the epitome of a mobile power athlete.He has bounced back to become only the sixth prop in history to score in three successive Test matches and was Wales’s leading points scorer in the 2026 Six Nations.Good things come to those who wait.2.
Julien Marchand FranceFrance remain a side prone to dramatic fluctuations in form but Marchand continues to be a stabilising influence as a lineout thrower and all-round forward presence.Rare are the days he has a bad game, whether for Toulouse or the national side, which has helped him to regain the starting shirt from Peato Mauvaka.Dan Sheehan and Dewi Lake were very much in the frame.3.Joe Heyes England Italy’s Simone Ferrari was close but few front-rowers have improved as much as Heyes in the past year.
When you consider he had never started a Six Nations game until last month it becomes even more impressive, with England’s scrum perhaps the most consistent area of an otherwise disappointing red rose campaign.The Leicester tighthead, a lover of history and cooking, is also a cracking guy.4.Emmanuel Meafou France France had a whole range of second-row options but they looked at their most powerful with Meafou on the field.At 6ft 8in and almost 23 stone that is not a huge shock but when used properly he possesses a handy combination of physical impact and deft distribution skills.
Those little tip-off passes to supporting forwards are a key part of the modern game and Meafou is still only 27.How Australian rugby must wish he had stayed in Queensland.5.Charles Ollivon FranceModern rugby demands flexibility and a broad skill set.Nothing exemplified that more than France’s two lock forwards, Mickaël Guillard and Ollivon, combining in open play for a try that helped to sink Ireland on the opening night in Dublin.
Ollivon was back in the No 8 shirt against England while a strike‑rate of 19 tries in 53 Tests further underlines the 32‑year‑old’s enduring value,6,Tadhg Beirne IrelandIt was no coincidence that Beirne was one of the first names on Andy Farrell’s team-sheet for the British & Irish Lions Test series last year,Whether at five or six he offers a triple threat as a soaring lineout jumper, a strong defender and a serial turnover specialist,He was again outstanding against Scotland and edges out Italy’s hard‑working captain, Michele Lamaro, France’s François Cros and England’s Ollie Chessum.
7.Rory Darge ScotlandDarge was unlucky not to join Beirne on the Lions tour but his omission appears to have spurred him on.Finished equal top for turnovers claimed and his try against England provided further reward for an unselfish, hard‑edged performer.Scotland finished third in the end but their back-rowers always kept coming.8.
Jack Dempsey ScotlandHe has just ruined the moment by announcing his departure from Glasgow to go and play in Japan but Dempsey was Scotland’s most impactful forward and a real galvanising force, despite a biceps injury that would have sidelined the average mortal.A tight call, though, with Wales’s Aaron Wainwright, Ireland’s Caelan Doris and France’s Anthony Jelonch all running him close.This is an extract from our weekly rugby union email, the Breakdown.To subscribe just visit this page and follow the instructions.
Rukmini Iyer’s quick and easy reccipe for crispy baked gnocchi puttanesca | Quick and easy
Puttanesca purists, look away now. This dish takes the classic elements of a puttanesca – that is, anchovies, capers, olives, tomatoes – and combines them into a rich sauce for gnocchi, which are then covered in mozzarella, breadcrumbs and parmesan, and flashed under the grill. It’s exactly what you want on a rainy night. In fact, my sauce-averse toddler thought it smelled so good that she stole half of my plate – a win all round. (Although her pretty decent suggestion was that next time I use it as a pizza sauce, rather than on pasta or gnocchi
How to make Irish stew – recipe | Felicity Cloake's Masterclass
The first time I dared to write a recipe for Irish stew, I was invited on to the national broadcaster, RTÉ, to discuss my choices live on air. And, to my considerable relief, it was eventually decided that I had not dishonoured the memory of my ancestors. It’s tempting for modern cooks to meddle with such resolutely plain classics. Do not! It’s delicious just as it is.Prep 20 min Cook 2 hr Serves 63 large onions 2 tbsp oil, or lamb fat10-12 very floury potatoes, depending on size and hunger1 neck of lamb, or hogget or mutton, cut into thick slices (see steps 1 and 2)2 sprigs fresh thyme Salt and pepper 6 carrots, or, if you like, substitute some for chopped turnip, swede or leekChopped parsley, or chives, to serve (optional)Traditionally, an older, less productive animal would have been used here – and the slow cooking time reflects this – but modern recipes tend to favour lamb
DakaDaka, London W1: ‘Like a 2am lock-in on a Tbilisi back street’ – restaurant review | Grace Dent on restaurants
DakaDaka, a rowdy paean to Georgian cuisine, has arrived on Heddon Street in the West End of London. Heddon Street has always been synonymous with rowdiness, regardless of the fact that the mature, semi-elegant likes of Sabor, Piccolino and Heddon Street Kitchen are quite the opposite. But anyone who ever found themselves staggering out of Strawberry Moons in the 1990s having lost a shoe and with a love bite or from the basement club at Momo will know that this little nook tucked away behind Regent Street is where a good time is meant to be had.And now there’s DakaDaka, which certainly does not market itself as a nightclub, because, well, virtually nowhere does any more. What DakaDaka does do, though, is play Georgian dance music very loudly and with endless enthusiasm right through your badrijani (grilled aubergines), imeruli (cheese-filled flatbread) and kababi (lamb skewers)
Fallouts and financial woes: inside Heston Blumenthal’s sinking empire
Dinner by Heston was once one of the world’s most revered restaurants, known for its decadent and unusual dishes such as the “meat fruit”.But Heston Blumenthal announced this week that he is winding down operations at the two Michelin-star restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Knightsbridge, London, saying it was because the tenancy had “finished”.However, current and former workers at Dinner claim the restaurant has been going downhill for years after Blumenthal fell out with his right-hand man, Ashley Palmer-Watts, who created the menu and ran the restaurant day to day before he left the business.“Closing the restaurant was not Heston’s choice whatsoever,” a senior source from the Mandarin Oriental told the Guardian. “The hotel chose not to renew the lease
Mother’s Day UK recipes: three delicious ideas to make for your mum from Ravinder Bhogal
Few things say “I love you” more than an unbidden cup of tea, but if you want to show true appreciation to the maternal figure in your life this Mother’s Day, there’s nothing better than a few indulgent snacks to go with it. I love the British tradition of afternoon tea, but I find finger sandwiches in hotel lobbies a little too fussy. I would much rather a fortifying savoury sandwich, a slab of good, old-fashioned cake and buttery biscuits that crumble into a million sweet crumbs.This very simple cake can be baked in a regular cake tin, but cooking it in a bundt tin makes it much more of a showstopper. If you want to forgo the icing, serve with a dollop of creme fraiche and berries instead
Benjamina Ebuehi’s recipe for caramelised white chocolate and rhubarb cheesecake | The sweet spot
It’s often my own impatience that forces me to make no-bake cheesecakes over baked ones. They’re not at all as faffy, though it’s pretty hard to beat the lighter, silkier texture you get with a baked version plus the extra effort is worth it on a special occasion such as Mother’s Day. I’ve sweetened the filling for this one with caramelised white chocolate – it brings a beautiful, creamy, dulce de leche-type caramel flavour that even the biggest white chocolate haters should enjoy. If making your own caramelised white chocolate feels a step too far, however, just buy bars of blond chocolate instead. Top with gently poached rhubarb for a pop of colour and to cut through the richness
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