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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Gerard Meagher

Men’s Six Nations starts midweek and is cut shorter for 2026

Six Nations Ireland France England Wales Italy Scotland Olympics Winter Olympics
The captains of the Six Nations teams pictured at the launch of the 2025 tournament at the Colosseum in Rome.
France will start the defence of their Six Nations title at home to Ireland on Thursday 5 February, 2026.
 Photograph: Billy Stickland/INPHO/Shutterstock

Next year’s Six Nations will kick off on a Thursday night for the first time in the competition’s history, with the defending champions, France, hosting Ireland, and will take place across just six weeks after organisers removed one of fallow weeks for the championship.

It is understood the unprecedented move to begin the championship on Thursday 5 February next year has been made after input from broadcasters, with the 2026 Winter Olympics ceremony taking place in Milan the following day. It has also been made with the agreement of all six unions.

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