- Winter Olympics shifts France v Ireland to Thursday
- Only one fallow week set to raise player welfare concerns
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 take place across just six weeks after organisers removed one of fallow weeks for the championship.
It is understood that the unprecedented move to begin the championship on Thursday 5 February next year has been made following 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.
