Guinness M6N Fixtures from 05 Feb 2026 – 14 Mar 2026
Source: https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/m6n
The 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations is set to be a historic edition, featuring the tournament’s first-ever Thursday night opening match and a condensed schedule with only one rest week (after Round 3).
The championship runs from February 5 to March 14, 2026.
Round 1
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (GMT) |
| Thu 5 Feb | France vs Ireland | Stade de France, Paris | 20:10 |
| Sat 7 Feb | Italy vs Scotland | Stadio Olimpico, Rome | 14:10 |
| Sat 7 Feb | England vs Wales | Allianz Stadium, London | 16:40 |
Round 2
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (GMT) |
| Sat 14 Feb | Ireland vs Italy | Aviva Stadium, Dublin | 14:10 |
| Sat 14 Feb | Scotland vs England | Murrayfield, Edinburgh | 16:40 |
| Sun 15 Feb | Wales vs France | Principality Stadium, Cardiff | 15:10 |
Round 3
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (GMT) |
| Sat 21 Feb | England vs Ireland | Allianz Stadium, London | 14:10 |
| Sat 21 Feb | Wales vs Scotland | Principality Stadium, Cardiff | 16:40 |
| Sun 22 Feb | France vs Italy | Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille | 15:10 |
Fallow Week (Rest Period)
Round 4
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (GMT) |
| Fri 6 Mar | Ireland vs Wales | Aviva Stadium, Dublin | 20:10 |
| Sat 7 Mar | Scotland vs France | Murrayfield, Edinburgh | 14:10 |
| Sat 7 Mar | Italy vs England | Stadio Olimpico, Rome | 16:40 |
Round 5: Super Saturday
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (GMT) |
| Sat 14 Mar | Ireland vs Scotland | Aviva Stadium, Dublin | 14:10 |
| Sat 14 Mar | Wales vs Italy | Principality Stadium, Cardiff | 16:40 |
| Sat 14 Mar | France vs England | Stade de France, Paris | 20:10 |
Key Highlights for 2026:
- Opening Night: The tournament breaks tradition by starting on a Thursday night in Paris.
- Condensed Format: To accommodate the new Nations Cup, there is only one fallow week instead of the usual two.
- The Finale: “Le Crunch” (France vs England) serves as the tournament’s final match on Super Saturday.
- Defending Champions: France enters the 2026 tournament as the reigning champions after their 2025 victory.
The history of the Men’s Six Nations (M6N) is a journey from a small regional contest to the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual rugby tournament. It has evolved through three distinct eras:
1. The Home Nations (1883–1909, 1932–1939)
The tournament began in 1883 as the Home Nations Championship, contested by the four “Home Unions”: England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.
- The First Match: While internationals began in 1871, 1883 marked the first organized season where all four played each other. England won the inaugural title.
- The Triple Crown: This era birthed the “Triple Crown”—an unofficial (now official) trophy awarded if one Home Nation beats the other three.
- The “Invisible Trophy”: In the early years, there was no actual physical trophy; the winners simply gained the title and “bragging rights.”
2. The Five Nations (1910–1931, 1947–1999)
In 1910, France was officially invited to join, expanding the tournament into the Five Nations.
- Expulsion & Return: France was actually expelled in 1931 due to allegations of “professionalism” (which was banned in the amateur era) and on-field violence. They didn’t return until 1947, after World War II.
- The 1973 Tie: A unique moment in history where all five teams tied for first place. Every nation won two games and lost two, leading to a five-way shared title.
- Professionalism (1995): The sport turned professional in 1995, transforming the tournament from a “friendly” championship into a high-stakes, commercial powerhouse.
3. The Six Nations (2000–Present)
The modern era began in 2000 when Italy joined the fold, creating the current format.
- Italy’s Impact: The “Azzurri” made an immediate splash by beating the defending champions, Scotland, in their very first match.
- Bonus Points (2017): To encourage more attacking play and tries, the tournament introduced the Bonus Point system used in the Rugby World Cup.
- Trophy Dominance: In the Six Nations era (since 2000), England and Wales initially dominated, but the 2010s and 2020s have seen the rise of Ireland and France as the consistent “teams to beat.”
Key Terms You’ll Hear:
- Grand Slam: When a team wins all five of its matches in a single season.
- Triple Crown: When one of the Home Nations (ENG, SCO, IRE, WAL) defeats the other three.
- Wooden Spoon: A metaphorical “award” given to the team that finishes last in the table.
- The Calcutta Cup: The oldest trophy in the tournament, contested specifically between England and Scotland since 1879.
All-Time Titles (Outright & Shared)
| Country | Total Titles |
| England | 39 |
| Wales | 39 |
| France | 26 |
| Ireland | 24 |
| Scotland | 22 |
| Italy | 0 |
