When is it, odds and how to watch

The 2026 Six Nations campaign starts with the defending champions, France, taking on the side who finished third last year, Ireland, who welcome back their head coach Andy Farrell after his sabbatical from the 2025 tournament to prepare for the Lions tour of Australia. 

Both Ireland and France, like England, won four and lost one match in the 2025 championship, France winning in Dublin and losing at Twickenham. Reflecting their finishes last year and their form throughout the autumn, France are favourites for the title and Ireland third, tucked behind England

When is the opening match of the 2026 Six Nations?

France host Ireland on Thursday, February 5. The match will kick-off at 8.10pm GMT.

It’s a controversial choice, but France’s broadcasters felt they had no choice because the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics is taking place on Friday 6 which would have been far more convenient for match-going supporters of both stripes.

The French public love a Friday night fixture but their ardour is untested on Thursdays. They are treated to the opening match for the third championship in succession with contrasting results: France thumped Wales 43-0 last year but went down 17-38 at Ireland’s hands in Marseille in 2024, the visitors having overcome their World Cup hangover more quickly than the hosts.

Where is France v Ireland taking place?

At Stade de France, the national stadium at Saint-Denis, 8km north of central Paris. The stadium has a capacity of 81,338 and hosted both the 2007 and 2023 Rugby World Cup finals, as well as the athletics at the 2024 Olympic Games and the football World Cup final of 1998.

France also host Italy this year and round off the tournament with another home night match against England on March 14 when Le Crunch is sure to crackle.