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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
George Flood

Why is the Six Nations starting on a Thursday? Key changes confirmed for 2026

Six Nations Six Nations Ireland France Italy England Scotland Wales
Showdown: France demolished Ireland in a dazzling second-half display in Dublin in the 2025 Six Nations - (Getty Images)

Rugby fans thought there may have been a misprint when the men’s Six Nations schedule for 2026 was revealed on Monday.

The headline news was undoubtedly the introduction of a first-ever Thursday night game in the competition, which will see arguably still its biggest fixture take centre stage straightaway for the second time in three years.

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