A guide to the 2026 Six Nations

From Thirsty Thursday to Super Saturday, rugby’s Six Nations Championship is set to carry us from winter blues to spring sunshine – perfectly designed with the pub goer in mind.

A first ever Thursday match to kick off the tournament, a Friday nighter in Dublin and bumper lunchtime and evening clashes across five weekends – all live on terrestrial TV.

To get you in the mood, here is a round-by-round guide and what to look out for.

ROUND ONE
(February 5-7: France v Ireland, Thurs 8.10pm; Italy v Scotland, Sat 2.10pm; England v Wales, Sat 4.40pm)
Holders France against Ireland, winners in 2023 and ‘24. Why on a Thursday? Because the Winter Olympics opening ceremony has snaffled the Friday slot.

Neither side are in great nick, both well beaten at home by South Africa in November. Still, France have Louis Bielle-Biarrey, last year’s top try scorer and a player so fast he recently left former European sprint champion Christophe Lemaitre for dust over 50 metres.

Elsewhere, England scored 10 tries in Cardiff last year so will be too good for Wales. Scotland fancy the Italian job but have it all to prove, having lost on their last visit to Rome.

ROUND TWO
(February 14-15: Ireland v Italy, Sat 2.10pm; Scotland v England, Sat 4.40pm; Wales v France, Sun 3.10p )
Expect Ireland and France to win fairly easily. England will be favourites against Finn Russell and Co yet must tread warily, having won just two of their last eight meetings with the auld enemy.

ROUND THREE
(February 21-22: England v Ireland, Sat 2.10pm; Wales v Scotland, Sat 4.40pm; France v Italy, Sun 3.10pm)
The big one is the visit to Twickenham of Ireland, the only team to beat England in 2025. Home advantage should tell. I go with Scotland and France to also prevail.

ROUND FOUR
(March 6-7: Ireland v Wales, Fri 8.10pm; Scotland v France, Sat 2.10pm; Italy v England, Sat 4.40pm)
Take Ireland to give Wales a Friday night fright. England have never lost to Italy and will not be expecting to start now. Murrayfield could be France’s toughest test to date.

ROUND FIVE
(March 14: Ireland v Scotland 2.10pm, Wales v Italy 4.40pm, France v England 8.10pm)
Eight hours solid of rugby so pace yourself! England won their last Grand Slam in Paris (10 years ago) and bookmakers expect Le Crunch to again decide the championship. The Six Nations, however, rarely goes to script.