Champions France to host Ireland in opening match of truncated 2026 Six Nations
The clash between Antoine Dupont's champions and one of their main rivals for the title takes place on February 5, most likely at the Stade de France pending the conclusion of negotiations with the French Rugby Federation (FFR).
The schedule for the 2026 Six Nations is the first to feature only one fallow week rather than the customary two.
๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง'๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ฑ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐
๐ข๐ฑ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๏ธ๐#GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/ej2ArJsG93
โ Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) May 19, 2025
First announced in 2023, the removal of one break week is to assist with the alignment of the new global rugby calendar.
The first three rounds will be played on consecutive weekends, there will be no games on Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1, before the competition closes with back-to-back matches.
In another significant break with tradition, the Six Nations starts on a Thursday evening rather than the customary Friday or Saturday slots to avoid a clash with the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on February 6.
Maro Itoje's England start their 2026 Six Nations title push against Wales (Adam Davy/PA)
England finished runners-up this year and their bid to go one better will begin against Wales at Allianz Stadium on February 7.
They face a Valentine's Day appointment with Scotland at Murrayfield, collide with Ireland at home on February 21 and finish with away trips to Italy and France, with 'Le Crunch' closing out Super Saturday on March 14.
All Six Nations matches will be shown free to air after a new rights deal lasting until 2029 was struck with ITV and BBC in March.
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