Rugby Union | Details announced for Six Nations 2026

There has been some interesting changes to the next edition of the Six Nations

England host Wales for the Anglo-Welsh clash that will conclude the opening weekend of the Championship

Author - Peter Grainger

French influence on the schedule

Ireland will travel to defending champions France in the first-ever Thursday night fixture in Six Nations' history when the 2026 tournament begins on 5 February.

Ireland and France have won the past four titles between them and their blockbuster encounter has been brought forward to avoid a clash with the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan the following day.

The shift has reportedly been designed to maximise audiences in France.

The finale of last year's tournament, when France beat Scotland to secure the title, returned record Six Nations audiences in France. The 2025 tournament recorded a 6.3% increase in audience in domestic markets overall.

It has also been confirmed there will be only one rest weekend, rather than the previous two, in the 2026 tournament.

Picture from England's dramatic victory over France last year. 

Will England have a Super Saturday to conclude their campaign?

England will then end their campaign away to reigning champions France in what will be the final game of the tournament on Saturday 14 March.

Clearly, they will have to be at their best if they are to win the competition on that night. You'd imagine that the night out in Paris will be incredible if that was to happen. 

Other changes

2026 sees the introduction of first ever dedicated men’s and women’s rugby calendars, aligning the international and domestic game. Within the changes to the calendar, the number of fallow weeks in the Six Nations will reduce from two to one.