Ireland set for bizarre opening game as 2026 Six Nations fixtures released
Bizarre.
The full fixture list for the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations has been confirmed, with the Championship set to kick off on Thursday 5th February as France host Ireland in a blockbuster opening clash.
It will be the first time a Championship match has been played on a Thursday since 1948, when it was the Five Nations and Ireland claimed a rare win on French soil on New Year’s Day.
France will have three home fixtures in 2026, hosting Italy in Round Three and England in Round Five, with ‘Le Crunch’ serving as the final fixture of Super Saturday, on March 14th. Rugby fans in France can look forward to being part of the opening and closing acts of what is set to be another unmissable edition of rugby’s most loved annual occasion.
Round One of next year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations packs a punch, with one of rugby’s greatest rivalries taking place at the Allianz Stadium, when England host Wales for the Anglo-Welsh clash that will conclude the opening weekend of the Championship.
ROUND 1
Thursday 5 February:
France v Ireland, 20:10 – ITV
Saturday 7 February:
Italy v Scotland, 14:10 – BBC
England v Wales, 16:40 – ITV
ROUND 2
Saturday 14 February:
Ireland v Italy, 14:10 – ITV
Scotland v England, 16:40 – ITV
Sunday 15 February:
Wales v France, 15:10 – BBC
ROUND 3
Saturday 21 February:
England v Ireland, 14:10 – ITV
Wales v Scotland, 16:40 – BBC
Sunday 22 February:
France v Italy, 15:10 – ITV
ROUND 4
Friday 6 March:
Ireland v Wales, 20:10 – ITV
Saturday 7 March:
Scotland v France, 14:10 – BBC
Italy v England, 16:40 – ITV
ROUND 5
Saturday 14 March:
Ireland v Scotland, 14:10 – ITV
Wales v Italy, 16:40 – BBC
France v England, 20:10 – ITV
*all times GMT
