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THE SIX NATIONS has finally arrived as the opening round of the competition kicks off this weekend.
Before the action gets underway, we’ve compiled all the important fixture details to help you plan out your viewing schedule for all the games.
Kick-off time: 8.15pm
Venue: Stade de France
TV details: Virgin Media One, coverage starts at 7.30pm
The clash of France and Wales gets the 2025 competition off the mark as one of the tournament favourites welcome Warren Gatland’s side to the Stade de France.
For France, there is plenty of excitement around the return of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack. Dupont missed last year’s tournament due to his Olympic Sevens commitments, while Ntamack has not made a Test appearance since 2023 due to two long-term injuries. With the Toulouse duo back in rotation, France will feel they are strong contenders for the title.
Wales collected the wooden spoon in last year’s tournament and ended their 2024 season with 11 losses in total after continuing that losing run through the summer and Autumn Tests. The 2025 Six Nations could be another difficult campaign for Wales.
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Kick-off time: 2.15pm
Venue: Murrayfield
TV details: RTÉ Two, coverage begins at 1.30pm
Two sides hoping to make breakthroughs meet when the Round 1 action continues on Saturday at Murrayfield. Scotland have been making strides under Gregor Townsend, though injuries to key men Sione Tuipulotu and Scott Cummings could hamper their chances.
The Scots have won the last four Calcutta Cups against England, and fell just short of a victory over France in 2024, but did lose against this weekend’s opponents when they visited Rome last spring.
Italy have also made progress in recent seasons to shake off the tag of annual wooden spoon recipients. They finished fifth last year after picking up wins against Wales as well as Scotland. They also earned a draw against France which gives them a strong base to work off this year.
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Kick-off time: 4.45pm
Venue: Aviva Stadium
TV Details: Virgin Media One, coverage starts at 4pm
Ireland get their bid for a historic Six Nations three-in-a-row underway against the old enemy at the Aviva Stadium.
Revenge will be a big motivating factor for Simon Easterby’s team after England denied them a shot at back-to-back Grand Slams last year with a last-minute drop goal.
The decision to start Sam Prendergast ahead of Jack Crowley will be a major area of focus this weekend while the loss of Tadhg Furlong to injury is certainly a blow in the front row.
England will be without hooker Jamie George due to a hamstring injury but Steve Borthwick has put twin brothers Ben and Tom Curry starting together in the back row in the hope of inspiring a win in Dublin.
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She has done well. Good luck to her
There a great charity but why do we have lots of different mental health charities? Would it be better if a few dozen could unite into a few different groups as it’s a bad idea of just having one of any charity. We don’t need anymore Console type scandals or anyone in any charity being paid more than the average wage or a bit above with & only expenses paid that actually return fundraising back to the charity.
The homeless charity sector and St. Vincent De Paul CEOs pay is insane and no charity should have lots of paid employees like the housing agency said there is many paid employees in homeless charities.
@Jay Lane: They all do very different things so it is great that they are separate. It’s also safer, imagine if an honest charity had been merged with Console and then that thief in charge had stolen all the money from the honest charity?
They also manage things very differently and I think that is good. Some charities have a serious ethical objection to having paid managers / leaders, others don’t.
Also, people are people. I’ve seen charities split from other charities and it is honest people splitting from honest people because of different priorities, and I think that is very healthy and good. If you are working for free you should 100% believe in what you are doing. Let’s say you worked for one charity that had a time limit on phone calls in their helpline, and you really didn’t like that, you could go work for one that has no time limit. Simple!
A woman with great integrity and vision ,,its a shame these same qualities are lacking in so many departments of our own government
I’m very sorry for your loss Darren. It is truly devastating for the family and friends of the people who feel the only way out of their pain is to end their life.
In saying that, I have to disagree with you re Pieta House – as a medical practitioner, I have referred quite a number of people to this organisation over the years and they have found it to be a wonderful support. I have seen first hand how people have found relief with this service. As for their financial integrity – a lot of focus has been put on charities such as these to be transparent re their accounts, especially since the Console controversy.
Thank you. As a nation we owe Joan a debt we can never repay, whatever she chooses I hope it brings her a little happiness. I’d like to think that if she ever needs help the nation will be there for her, but..
An inspirational woman! Wishing Joan every success with the launch of Solace House in New York
@Darren Bates: as someone who is living proof that these services work and wouldn’t be here without you’re wrong. I may not used pieta house but similar it’s people like you give out a negative message. Maybe you’re negative as your depressed and covering up for it and afraid to address the problem or else you’re just immature.
Is she staying on as a Senator?
A lady of true integrity, I wish Joan nothing but the very best life can bring. We would be honoured to have Joan as our president one day.
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