Six nations 2026 to start early to avoid Olympics
Champions France will host Ireland in the opening game of next year's Six Nations with the first match of the tournament being held on a Thursday for the first time since 1948, organisers announced on Monday.
The competition decided against holding the game on Friday, February 6 to avoid a clash with the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The game is set to be held at the Stade de France, Paris while the French rugby federation told AFP Les Bleus' two other home games, against Italy and England, could be played in different cities.
Ireland will welcome Wales on a Friday in round four, a first time for a game to be held in that slot in Dublin.
In a change from recent years, there will be just one weekend off, instead of two for next season's edition.
Six Nations 2026 fixtures (times GMT):
Round one
February 5: France v Ireland (2010)
February 8: Italy v Scotland (1410), England v Wales (1640)
Round two
February 14: Ireland v Italy (1410), Scotland v England (1640)
February 15: Wales v France (1510)
Round three
February 21: England v Ireland (1410), Wales v Scotland (1640)
February 22: France v France (1510)
Round four
March 6: Ireland v Wales (2010)
March 7: Scotland v France (1410), Italy v England (1640)
Round five
March 14: Ireland v Scotland (1410), Wales v Italy (1640), France v England (2010)
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