The tournament opened with Italy shocking Scotland in Rome to put Gregor Townsend under pressure.

His side then delivered an emphatic win over England at Murrayfield to end their rivals’ 12-game unbeaten run.

The pressure then mounted on Borthwick as his side were outclassed by Ireland at Allianz Stadium.

While all that was happening, France cruised past Ireland, Wales and Italy to start a narrative that anything other than a Grand Slam would be a failure.

Scotland then blew away Galthie’s side, before conceding a late flurry of tries, to head into the final round with a genuine shot of a first Six Nations title.

To add more drama into the mix, Italy overcame England in Rome to mount further pressure on Borthwick.

Wales may have lost their opening four games, but they improved as the championship went on, producing an impressive bonus-point win over Italy to end the tournament.

They finished with a third consecutive Wooden Spoon – but a first win in the championship since 2023 offered huge relief.

Despite an improved display in Paris, England finished the tournament with four defeats – their worst-ever campaign.

“It was one of the most captivating Six Nations in history, fitting it came down to one final moment of drama,” BBC rugby correspondent Chris Jones said.

The 2015 Six Nations has been regarded as the greatest tournament for entertainment because of the three-team Super Saturday title race.

It similarly went right down to the wire.

However, this year’s competition delivered from round one right to the final kick, with each nation having their own story – and surely leaps to the top of the list.

“England were blistering – their pace, their skill, their intensity, their physicality and they had a genuine chance of winning,” said former England scrum-half Matt Dawson on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I feel for the players because they are going to be down, but I want them to be super, super positive because if they carry on playing like that for the next 18 months they are going to challenge in big tournaments and big games, and they are going to win big games.”

And yet. When the adrenaline levels drop, questions will also be raised.

Should England have made victory stick?

With the restart regathered by Chessum, the ball safely at the base, Sam Underhill, Henry Pollock and Chandler Cunningham-South on their feet as a potential pod, and only two minutes left on the clock, could England have kept ball in hand and run down the clock?

Instead, Jack van Poortvliet, who had brought some zip off the bench, opted to kick the ball away and infield. Matthieu Jalibert, a broken-field fiend, accepted the invite to run back and England were back under the pump.

Closing out victories was a repeated failing in a series of close defeats in autumn 2024. It is a habit that England don’t want to reacquire.

One they definitely haven’t kicked yet is indiscipline. Only one of the 162 team campaigns in Six Nations history – Italy 2002 – has picked up more cards than England have this year.

Eight yellows, two of which combined to make Henry Arundell’s 20-minute red against Scotland, have hobbled England throughout.

Ellis Genge was dispatched to the sin-bin seat of shame in Paris, adjudged to have cynically dragged down a France driving maul that was destined for the line.

It may have been a marginal call, but, backed up to their own line, England knew the stakes were high and the punishment for any infringement would be heavy.

France raced back into the lead in the prop’s absence.

The Formula 1 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have been cancelled in the wake of the ongoing Iran war, organisers have confirmed.

Both races were set to be held in April and alternatives were considered but rejected, the FIA said in a statement.

The Formula 2, Formula 3 and F1 Academy rounds have also been cancelled.

Organisers said they could not go ahead due to the “ongoing situation in the Middle East region”.

Bahrain in particular has been targeted heavily by Iran since the war broke out at the end of last month.

Read more: Live updates on Iran war

The cancellations create a five-week gap in the F1 calendar with no races in April, affecting teams, broadcasters and fans worldwide.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said the “difficult” decision was the “right one” amid intensifying strikes across the region.

He added: “I want to take this opportunity to thank the FIA as well as our incredible promoters for their support and total understanding as they were looking forward to hosting us with their usual energy and passion.

“We cannot wait to be back with them as soon as the circumstances allow us to do so.”

Read more from Sky News:
Tehran responds to US bombing of Kharg island
How is Iran war affecting British bills?

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA President, added: “The FIA will always place the safety and wellbeing of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind.

“We continue to hope for calm, safety and a swift return to stability in the region, and my thoughts remain with all those affected by these recent events.”

The move has also been backed by the Saudi royal family.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal said: “We understand the considerations behind this decision and remain in close partnership with Formula 1.”

The current F1 season continues this weekend with the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday.

Police attended after reports on Saturday morning that a baby had fallen from a residential property.

Advertisement

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a baby girl fell from a property.

The Metropolitan Police said officers attended Horseferry Road in Westminster, central London, after reports on Saturday morning that a baby had fallen from a residential property.

The baby girl – aged 18 days – was taken to hospital and was pronounced dead.

A 43-year-old woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and taken into police custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell said: “Our thoughts today are with the baby’s family.

“The death of an infant is always an extremely tragic occurrence, and officers are making urgent inquiries around the circumstances.

“At this stage, we believe the incident occurred within a domestic context, but we are appealing for anybody with information to come forward.”

The police cordon covered most of Great Peter Street, which is just off Horseferry Road, on Saturday evening.

An officer in a blue forensics suit was seen in a grey van parked partway down the road, which was closed to traffic.

Passers-by were diverted around the taped cordon.

Two forensics officers could be seen working in a third floor flat in the Peabody Estate.

A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said the baby was treated at the scene before being taken to a major trauma centre.

Officers found Alford unresponsive in his cell

Convicted paedophile and former London’s Burning actor John Alford has been found dead in his prison cell just weeks after being jailed for sexually abusing two underage girls.

The disgraced actor, aged 54, was discovered unresponsive during morning checks at HMP Bure, a Category C jail in Norfolk, on Friday (March 13). His death comes not long after he was locked up for sexually assaulting a 14‑year‑old and a 15‑year‑old during a sleepover at a friend’s home over the Easter holidays.

A jury at St Albans Crown Court found Alford — who appeared under his real name, John Shannon — guilty on all counts after a week‑long trial and more than 13 hours of deliberations, according to the Daily Star.

As the verdicts were delivered, the disgraced actor, who also appeared in London’s Burning, placed his head in his hands and shouted from the dock: “Wrong, I didn’t do this.” He found fame portraying Fireman Billy Ray in London’s Burning throughout most of the 1990s.

Speaking to the Sun, a source elaborated on the unresponsive state Alford was found in, saying: “He didn’t wake up in the morning. He was in his bed and they thought he was just asleep.

“But when they tried to wake him there was no response and they realised he was dead.” Alford landed the role of rebel Robbie Wright on BBC’s Grange Hill when he was 13 years old.

Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source.

The gastropub has nine rooms to choose from and might be nice for a weekend escape

A gastro pub with rooms found in a seaside village in Norfolk has been named one of the best places to stay in the UK. The Ship in Brancaster made is onto The Times’ list of the 50 best places to stay for 2026 thanks to it being “great value” and offering “Med-inspired seaside dining”.

If you are looking for somewhere to escape Cambridgeshire for a long weekend, a trip to the Ship might be worth looking into. The gastropub has a range of rooms to choose from and is only a 20-mintue walk or three-minute drive away from Brancaster beach.

On the Ship, The Times said: “The swashbuckling sisters Siobhan and Caitriona Peyton, who shook up Norfolk’s hospitality scene when they opened Sculthorpe Mill in 2021, only dropped anchor here in May 2025, revamping the bar, boutiquing the rooms and offering Med-inspired seaside dining. Don’t think of it as a hotel, though. It’s a Pub with rooms and a restaurant that’s run with the same flair that lured the Michelin inspectors to Sculthorpe.”

The nine rooms spread across the first and second floors of the building are all described as having “their own character”. The rooms range from classic, deluxe, and super deluxe and all have an ensuite with Norfolk Living toiletries.

Advertisement

During your stay, you could enjoy a drink in the pub area of the Ship, which stocks different local beers, fine wines, and has a few cocktails on offer as well as a few food options such as the roast chicken club sandwich and scampi with chips. For those wanting to indulge, you might prefer to have a meal in the restaurant that serves dishes that make “the most of Norfolk’s incredible local produce”.

Guests can choose from a few different options for each course including steak, pork chops, and pasta dishes. For those wanting something sweet, the pub’s restaurant also serves desserts from tiramisu and Basque cheesecake to simple scoops of gelato.

Siobhan Peyton, who owns The Ship with her sister Caitriona said: “We are thrilled to have been recognised by The Times, and accept this wonderful accolade. Brancaster is a glorious corner of Norfolk, so to see it showcased nationally is terrific for the area.”

Caitriona added: “With summer fast approaching, there is no better time to escape to the Norfolk coast and explore our glorious beaches and surrounding countryside.”

Rooms at the Ship can be booked through the pub’s website. The price of the rooms start from £145.

If you are looking for a quiet coastal escape, Brancaster beach offers visitors a place to relax as well as having plenty of places that are ideal for birdwatching such as Titchwell Marsh. You can also visit the nearby Brancaster Staithe harbour, which is known for its mussels.

As more and more console gamers move to the PC, a reader argues that they’re not going out of choice but because of mistakes made by Sony and Microsoft.

We live at a time when everything seems to be spiralling out of control and no one in any position of power seems to know what they’re doing… except making the rich richer. This applies just as much to important world-shaking events and the trivial world of video games.

I assume anyone reading this loves gaming, as I do, so it’s been agonising watching it constantly shooting itself in the foot for the last five years. If you want an image of the current console generation of gaming just think of that Simpsons clip where Sideshow Bob is constantly stepping on rakes, even though he can see them all right there on the ground.

I don’t think anyone’s happy this generation, as even though the PlayStation 5 is running away with it in terms of sales they’re not making the games, or doing any of the other things fans actually want them to do. They’re just selling hardware and that’s it. They’re an absentee console manufacturer.

I think most people accept this description of current events but for those with their head still in the sand, pretending everything is perfectly normal, we’ve been getting reports over the last few years that console use is going down but PC is going up.

This is a clear indication that what I’ve just said is having an effect on sales and player habits but one thing I do disagree with is how it’s been reported as PC gaming increasing. It’s not, console gaming is going down and the overall level of people playing games is staying the same.

PCs aren’t attracting more people into gaming, but people who used to enjoy using consoles are migrating to the PC. I think the reasons for this are very obvious and Sony’s panicked response, of suddenly stopping exclusives going onto PC, shows that they never understood the dangers of doing so – even though fans like me pointed them out before they ever started.

Somehow Sony bosses couldn’t see how getting rid of the main reason anyone buys a particular console – to play its exclusives – could possibly have a negative effect. It always seemed blindly obvious to everyone else but short term profit is all these people ever care about.

So now we’re left with a gaming industry which seems horribly unhealthy compared to last generation and where the only sensible purchase choices are a Switch 2, which can’t run everything, or a PC that is more expensive than a console.

And now, to hammer things home, both Valve and Microsoft are currently making next gen ‘consoles’ which are actaully just gaming PCs with a different logo on the front. Worst of all, the first and almost only definitive thing Microsoft has said about its device is that it’ll be super expensive.

I really do think these execs are living in another world. What we need is for gaming to get cheaper, not more expensive. The PC wouldn’t seem nearly as attractive to people defecting from consoles if it wasn’t for the wider range of indie games, the free online, and the generally cheaper games.

Nintendo used to be the cheap option, as well as having the draw of their exclusives, but they haven’t got that anymore, with their games and hardware are now also very expensive, and possibly seeing an increase soon.

And that’s on top of gaming PCs becoming prohibitively expensive too, because all of these machines use basically the same components.

Everything about the industry is wrong at the moment and while a PC-only future wouldn’t be completely awful its effect on Sony and Nintendo is not going to be good. All of this could’ve been avoided if execs were a bit more sensible and forward planning was a thing that existed at these companies, but unfortunately the age of incompetence seems to have everyone in its grip.

By reader Ashton Marley

The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot.

Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email.

MORE: The solution to staleness in modern gaming is cross-pollination – Reader’s Feature

MORE: If all video games were free what would people really play? – Reader’s Feature

MORE: Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown reader review – Reader’s Feature

The issue was pushed to the front of the discussion on Reddit recently, as one user shared his experience of an aircraft altercation.

The man, who is 6 ft 5, was sat on an economy flight when the passenger in front attempted to recline her seat.

He explained: “The passenger directly in front of me tried to recline but realised that my knees were preventing her from doing so.

“She turned around, gave me a dirty look, and attempted to recline again with more force. I was a little annoyed, but apologised and told her I could not move my legs out of the way without encroaching on the spaces beside me.

“She accused me of doing this on purpose just because I wanted more room for myself, and said that if I could not fit into a normal economy plane seat that I should pay extra for an emergency exit seat so that people around me can have more free space.

“If I’m honest, I feel that people who recline their seats in economy are annoying and inconsiderate, so I didn’t exactly bend over backwards to accommodate for her.”

Thousands of users replied to the post, expressing their views on the situation, in support of both the man and the woman.

One said: “I’m a big guy and it’s a common problem. They squeezed every inch out of those aircraft and it’s uncomfortable. She should have been more understanding of reality.

“Maybe you could have gotten an aisle seat but you paid for your seat as well and are entitled to your space.”

Another agreed: “In economy you can’t recline your seat without creating a worse experience for the person behind you and possibly making their tray unusable.

“Overall, it’s just bad design.”

However, others disagreed, with one saying: “If I pay for a recline seat, if we can recline the seat, I don’t know why it should be inconsiderate to not recline it.”

While another added: “But reclining seats is a feature, and the passenger in front has every “right” to do that.

“It is a literal feature of seats in legacy carriers. They spend millions in R&D doing their seat designs, yes even economy seats, and everyone should be able to use the function of all of the seat without being judged.

“Be less judgemental.”

A binman has pinpointed six common items you should never chuck into your recycling bin as it could prevent the entire load of rubbish from being collected

Advertisement

Recycling is massively important – it reduces waste in landfills, promotes sustainability and is better for the environment. So we should all take responsibility by doing our part to sort or rubbish properly.

Failing to do so can have negative impacts. Not only do you risk contaminating your entire pile of waste – making sorting impossible for recycling workers – you could also be causing yourself inconvenience too.

Throwing all of your recycling into one bin, including general waste items, can lead to refuse workers refusing to collect your waste. So it’s vital to get it right!

Thankfully, a bin man called Ashley is on hand to make this process much easier. He’s been sharing videos to TikTok about what you can and can’t recycle. So here are six common items you need to be aware of:

1. Lightbulbs

Speaking about this common household item, Ashley said: “They don’t belong in your bin – they don’t belong in your recycling, they don’t belong in your general waste. You’re meant to take them to a specialist place where you can dispose of them correctly.”

While you may think it’s a faff to bin lightbulbs separately, there’s actually some pretty convenient places you can drop them off.

Ashley added: “You can do it at most tips, B&Q, Tesco. When you go to replace them, take them with you!”

2. Pizza boxes

While some pizza boxes can be recycled, this should only be done if they’re clean and dry. To handle this correctly, you must remove and dispose of any greasy food remnants or stained sections, particularly the base.

Ashley said: “Pizza boxes should not be in the recycling bin. They should be in your general waste bin, whatever colour that will be. You are told to put all cardboard in the blue bin. I don’t know what your blue bin is, I don’t know.

“Let’s just make this clear, pizza boxes – general waste bin, not recycling bin. That’s all I needed to say. It doesn’t matter what colour your bin is, it goes in your general waste.”

3.Chewing gum

Chewed gum should never be thrown into the food waste bin because it doesn’t biodegrade. What’s more, you should be mindful about where you put the wrapping too.

Ashley added: “What about chewing gum? Good question. Right, this one, it goes in your general waste, if you’re chewing it, finished with it; it goes in the general waste bin.

“It is not biodegradable – that’s why you do not put it in your food waste or your compost bin. It goes in your general waste because it can’t break down and go into the soil or whatever they make the food waste into…

“The wrapper for chewing gum, another good one, which would be, because it’s a combination of paper and aluminium. Because of the combination, it doesn’t go in either the recycling bin. It would have to go in your general waste bin.”

4. Crisp packets

The No1 Binman shared: “Crisp packets do not belong in your recycling bin. You’re meant to take them to the supermarket and recycle them there, because it’s a different type of plastic.

“Just like carrier bags, just like film, bubble wrap – all that stuff does not go in your recycling. Take it to the tip, they can sometimes dispose of it there differently, or take it to a supermarket.

“There’s loads of stuff. Polystyrene is plastic, but it doesn’t go in your recycling bin because it takes up too much room, and it costs too much money to recycle because there’s barely any plastic in it. It’s mainly air.

“Please check before you put it in your bin. Normally, it’s like tins and bottles. Easy things to put in the recycling. Please check before you do it because you don’t want your bin to be contaminated. Don’t be the person who gets their bin rejected when you want it to be emptied.”

5. Wrapping paper

When it’s someone’s birthday or a special celebration and lot of gifts have been given, it’s really important to check whether the paper gift-givers have opted for is actually recyclable. It can be confusing to know which elements you can recycle.

He said: “It depends on the wrapping paper. So if you have actual wrapping paper paper, what you should be able to do with it is screw it into a ball – and if it stays in the ball, it’s just paper, and that can go in your paper recycling bin.

“If it’s got lots of Sellotape or labels all over it, then take them off and then just put it in the paper bin. Save some room in your general waste.

“But if you screw into a ball and it starts expanding back out again, that’s got mainly plastic in it, and that should not go in your paper bin. It’s not paper, it’s mainly plastic, and it’s got a film over it – that one would go in your general waste.”

Even though local councils can have differing regulations, he uses the scrunch test as a general rule of thumb. Ashley added: “If it expands, it’s plastic – if it stays as it is, it’s paper.”

It only takes two seconds to scrunch the wrapping to see if it’s suitable for recycling, so be sure to do it before chucking it away.

6. Condoms

You may think this item goes without saying – but there are sadly some who try to recycle condoms.

Ashley said these contraceptive products should always be placed in the general waste bin because they are made from materials like latex, polyurethane, or polyisoprene – which aren’t compatible with standard recycling processes.

Additionally, condoms are considered single-use personal hygiene products, which means they may contain bodily fluids and are classified as medical waste.

This makes them unsuitable for recycling due to health and safety concerns. For these reasons, condoms should be disposed of in the regular trash rather than being placed in recycling bins.

The clearway sign features a red circle with a blue background and a red cross through it – and drivers who stop in these areas could face fines

Advertisement

Motorists are being urged to refresh their understanding of road signage after experts highlighted that many drivers remain baffled by one of the Highway Code’s most recognisable – yet frequently misinterpreted – symbols.

The sign features a red circle on a blue background with a red diagonal cross, and whilst it appears familiar to most people behind the wheel, not everyone grasps its precise meaning. Insurance experts at One Sure Insurance say confusion surrounding road signs is far more widespread than many assume.

Figures from the AA indicate that whilst the majority of drivers consider themselves safe on the roads, approximately half acknowledge they find certain aspects of the Highway Code challenging.

This gap in understanding can result in motorists inadvertently contravening regulations or misreading signs whilst driving.

The red-and-blue cross symbol denotes a clearway, meaning drivers must not stop at any time, reports the Express.

Unlike certain other restrictions which only operate during specific hours, the clearway regulation means you cannot halt your vehicle on that section of road for any purpose, except in an emergency.

This includes stopping to:

• Pick up or drop off passengers
• Check directions
• Make a phone call
• Wait briefly in the car

As stopping is entirely forbidden, drivers who pull up in a clearway zone risk receiving a fine or penalty notice.

One factor behind the sign’s confusion is its visual similarity to other blue-and-red road signs found throughout the UK. For instance, a sign displaying a single red line across a blue circle signifies no waiting, which still permits motorists to pause momentarily to collect or drop off passengers.

Conversely, the clearway symbol featuring the red cross prohibits stopping entirely, representing a more stringent restriction.

Confusion between these two could lead motorists to think they’re stopping lawfully when they’re in fact breaking the regulations.

Clearways are generally implemented on congested routes where stopping might create traffic jams or safety hazards, such as principal routes into urban areas or high-volume thoroughfares.

By prohibiting vehicles from stopping, authorities seek to maintain smooth traffic flow and minimise the risk of abrupt braking or blockages.

For motorists uncertain about traffic signs, specialists recommend consulting the Highway Code again to ensure complete understanding of the regulations – particularly as confusion can result in penalties or hazardous situations on the roads.

Specialists suggest that updating your knowledge of road signage could help drivers prevent fines, collisions, and insurance claims.

A spokesperson for One Sure Insurance said: “We see a lot of accidents or traffic violations happen because drivers simply don’t understand or recognise certain road signs.

“These mistakes may seem minor at first, but they can lead to fines, insurance claims, and in worst-case scenarios, serious accidents. It’s vital to take the time to understand every road sign you encounter.”