2026 Six Nations Championship
 | This article documents a current Men's Six Nations Championship. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. Initial news reports, scores, or statistics may be unreliable. The last updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (February 2026) |
| 2026 Men's Six Nations Championship | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 The six captains launched the tournament at Edinburgh Castle | |||
| Date | 5 February – 14 March 2026 | ||
| Countries | |||
| Tournament statistics | |||
| Matches played | 6 | ||
| Attendance | 406,786 (67,798 per match) | ||
| Tries scored | 38 (6.33 per match) | ||
| Top point scorer |  Thomas Ramos (25) | ||
| Top try scorer |  Henry Arundell (4) | ||
| |||
The 2026 Men's Six Nations Championship (known as the Guinness Men's Six Nations for sponsorship reasons and branded as M6N) is a rugby union competition taking place from early February to mid-March 2026, featuring the men's national teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. It is the 132nd season of the competition (including its incarnations as the Home Nations Championship and the Five Nations Championship), but the 27th since it expanded to become the Six Nations Championship in 2000. It began on 5 February 2026 with a Thursday night match between France and Ireland, and will end with France against England on 14 March.[1] France enter the tournament as reigning champions, having reclaimed the title from Ireland in 2025.
Participants
[edit]| Nation | Stadium | Head coach | Captain | World Rugby Ranking | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home stadium | Capacity | Location | Start[a] | End[b] | |||
| England
|
Twickenham Stadium | 82,000 | London | Steve Borthwick
|
Maro Itoje | 3 | |
| France
|
Stade de France | 81,338 | Saint-Denis | Fabien Galthié
|
Antoine Dupont | 5 | |
| Stade Pierre-Mauroy | 50,186 | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | |||||
 Ireland
|
Aviva Stadium | 51,700 | Dublin | Andy Farrell
|
Caelan Doris | 4 | |
 Italy
|
Stadio Olimpico | 73,261 | Rome |  Gonzalo Quesada
|
Michele Lamaro | 10 | |
 Scotland
|
Murrayfield Stadium | 67,144 | Edinburgh | Gregor Townsend
|
Sione Tuipulotu | 9 | |
 Wales
|
Millennium Stadium | 73,931 | Cardiff | Steve Tandy
|
Dewi Lake | 11 | |
Squads
[edit]Table
[edit]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | GS | TB | LB | Pts | FRA
|
SCO
|
ENG
|
ITA
|
IRE
|
WAL
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 90 | 26 | +64 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | — | 14 Mar | 22 Feb | 36–14 | |||
| 2 | Scotland
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 46 | 38 | +8 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 Mar | — | 31–20 | ||||
| 3 | England
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 68 | 38 | +30 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | — | 21 Feb | 48–7 | ||||
| 4 | Italy
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 31 | 35 | −4 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 18–15 | 7 Mar | — | ||||
| 5 | Ireland
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 34 | 49 | −15 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 14 Mar | 20–13 | — | 6 Mar | |||
| 6 | Wales
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 102 | −83 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12–54 | 21 Feb | 14 Mar | — |
Table ranking rules[2]
- Four points are awarded for a win.
- Two points are awarded for a draw.
- A bonus point is awarded to a team that scores four or more tries, or loses by seven points or fewer. If a team scores four or more tries, and loses by seven points or fewer, they are awarded both bonus points.
- Three bonus points are awarded to a team that wins all five of their matches (a Grand Slam). This ensures that a Grand Slam-winning team would top the table with at least 23 points, as there would otherwise be a scenario where a team could win all five matches with no bonus points for a total of 20 points and another team could win four matches with bonus points and lose their fifth match while claiming one or more bonus points giving a total of 21 or 22 points.
- Tiebreakers
- If two or more teams are tied on table points, the team with the better points difference (points scored less points conceded) is ranked higher.
- If the above tiebreaker fails to separate tied teams, the team that scores the higher number of total tries (including penalty tries) in their matches is ranked higher.
- If two or more teams remain tied after applying the above tiebreakers then those teams will be placed at equal rank; if the tournament has concluded and more than one team is placed first then the title will be shared between them.
Fixtures
[edit]The fixtures for the 2026 Six Nations were announced on 19 May 2025, beginning with the Six Nations' first ever Thursday night game between France and Ireland. It will also feature a Friday night game in the fourth round of matches as Ireland host Wales.[1] The competition is also set to take place over a reduced timeframe; instead of having rest weeks after rounds 2 and 3, it will now only have a rest week after round 3.
Round 1
[edit]| 5 February 2026 21:10 CET |
| (1 BP) France | 36–14 | Ireland |
| Try: Bielle-Biarrey (2) 12' c, 46' c Jalibert 21' m Ollivon 33' c Attissogbe 80' c Con: Ramos (4/5) 13', 34', 47', 80+1' Pen: Ramos (1/1) 27' | Report | Try: Timoney 58' c Milne 61' c Con: S. Prendergast (2/2) 58', 61' |
| Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 80,000 Referee: Karl Dickson (England)[3] |
|
Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
|
Notes:
- France claimed the inaugural Solidarity Trophy, a new trophy contested by France and Ireland.[5]
| 7 February 2026 15:10 CET |
| Italy | 18–15 | Scotland (1 BP) |
| Try: Lynagh 8' m Menoncello 14' c Con: P. Garbisi (1/2) 15' Pen: P. Garbisi (2/2) 35', 49' | Report | Try: Dempsey 25' c Horne 67' m Con: Russell (1/2) 25' Pen: Russell (1/1) 47' |
| Stadio Olimpico, Rome Attendance: 68,245 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)[3] |
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Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
|
Notes:
- Italy reclaimed the Cuttitta Cup, having lost it in the previous year's tournament.[6]
- Ignacio Brex, Paolo Garbisi and Michele Lamaro (all Italy) earned their 50th test caps.[7]
- This was Italy's first opening win of a Six Nations campaign since defeating France 23–18 in 2013.
| 7 February 2026 16:40 GMT |
| (1 BP) England | 48–7 | Wales |
| Try: Arundell (3) 7' c, 18' m, 35' c Earl 23' c Roebuck 44' c Penalty try 66' Freeman 79' m Con: Ford (4/6) 8', 24', 36', 45' Pen: Ford (1/1) 2' | Report | Try: Adams 51' c Con: Edwards (1/1) 52' |
| Twickenham Stadium, London Attendance: 81,953 Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)[3] |
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Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
|
Notes:
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was initially selected on the right wing for England, but had to withdraw through injury, with Tom Roebuck taking his place in the starting XV.[9]
Round 2
[edit]| 14 February 2026 14:10 GMT |
| Ireland | 20–13 | Italy (1 BP) |
| Try: Osborne 16' m Conan 42' m Baloucoune 56' c Con: Crowley (1/1) 57' Pen: Crowley (1/1) 62' | Report | Try: Nicotera 32' c Con: P. Garbisi (1/1) 33' Pen: P. Garbisi (1/1) 20' |
| Aviva Stadium, Dublin Attendance: 51,700 Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)[3] |
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|
Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
|
Notes:
- Edwin Edogbo (Ireland) made his international debut.
- Hollie Davidson became the first woman to referee a Six Nations match.
| 14 February 2026 16:40 GMT |
| (1 BP) Scotland | 31–20 | England |
| Try: Jones (2) 9' c, 52' c Ritchie 13' c White 26' c Con: Russell (4/4) 10', 14', 27', 53' Pen: Russell (1/1) 3' | Report | Try: Arundell 20' c Earl 77' c Con: Ford (2/2) 21', 77' Pen: Ford (2/2) 25', 44' |
| Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Attendance: 67,144 Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)[3] |
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|
Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
|
Notes:
- Scotland reclaimed the Calcutta Cup.
| 15 February 2026 15:10 GMT |
| Wales | 12–54 | France (1 BP) |
| Try: Carré 18' c Grady 77' m Con: Edwards (1/1) 19' | Report | Try: Gailleton 1' c Bielle-Biarrey 10' m Brau-Boirie 14' c Jalibert 38' c Marchand 43' c Attissogbe (2) 48' c, 57' c Ollivon 61' c Con: Ramos (7/8) 2', 15', 39', 44', 49', 58', 62' |
| Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 57,744 Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)[3] |
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Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
|
Notes:
- Fabien Brau-Boirie and Noah Nene (both France) made their international debuts.
- Julien Marchand and Charles Ollivon (both France) earned their 50th test caps.
- This was the most points scored by France over Wales, surpassing the 51 points scored in 1998.
- The 57,744 attendance was the lowest ever attendance for a Six Nations match in Cardiff.[10]
Round 3
[edit]| 21 February 2026 14:10 GMT |
| England | v | Ireland |
| Twickenham Stadium, London Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)[3] |
|
Assistant referees:
|
| 21 February 2026 16:40 GMT |
| Wales | v | Scotland |
| Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Referee: Matthew Carley (England)[3] |
|
Assistant referees:
|
|
Assistant referees:
|
Round 4
[edit]|
Assistant referees:
|
| 7 March 2026 14:10 GMT |
| Scotland | v | France |
| Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)[3] |
|
Assistant referees:
|
|
Assistant referees:
|
Round 5
[edit]|
Assistant referees:
|
| 14 March 2026 16:40 GMT |
| Wales | v | Italy |
| Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)[3] |
|
Assistant referees:
|
|
Assistant referees:
|
Player statistics
[edit]
Most points[edit]
|
Most tries[edit]
|
Discipline
[edit]Summary
[edit]- As of 15 February 2026
| Team | 
|
|
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| England
|
3 | 1 | 4 |
| Wales
|
4 | 0 | 4 |
| Scotland
|
1 | 0 | 1 |
| Ireland
|
1 | 0 | 1 |
| Italy
|
1 | 0 | 1 |
| France
|
0 | 0 | 0 |
Yellow cards
[edit]
Henry Arundell (vs. Scotland)- Tom Curry (vs. Wales)
- Maro Itoje (vs. Wales)
George Turner (vs. Italy)
Dewi Lake (vs. England)- Taine Plumtree (vs. England)
- Nicky Smith (vs. England)
- Ben Thomas (vs. England)
Louis Lynagh (vs. Ireland)
Craig Casey (vs. Italy)
Red cards
[edit]- Henry Arundell (vs. Scotland)
Awards
[edit]Player of the Match awards
[edit]| Awards | Player | Team | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mickaël Guillard | France
|
Ireland (R1) |
| Simone Ferrari | Italy
|
Scotland (R1) | |
| George Ford | England
|
Wales (R1) | |
| Robert Baloucoune | Ireland
|
Italy (R2) | |
| Kyle Steyn | Scotland
|
England(R2) | |
| Matthieu Jalibert | France
|
Wales(R2) |
See also
[edit]- 2026 Women's Six Nations Championship
- 2026 Six Nations Women's U21 Series
- 2026 Six Nations Under 20s Championship
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Thursday night blockbuster to start 2026 Six Nations". BBC Sport. 19 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Rules". Six Nations Rugby. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Match Officials Appointments | Guinness Men's Six Nations 2026". World Rugby. Archived from the original on 18 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ Regan, James (5 February 2026). "Six Nations: France player ratings from statement win over Ireland". ESPN. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ^ "New trophy to celebrate France-Ireland relationship". Six Nations Rugby. 2 February 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ^ "Sloppy Scotland stunned as Italy make winning start to Six Nations amid deluge". The Guardian. 7 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
- ^ "Team News: Three Italian players set for 50-cap milestone". Six Nations Rugby. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
- ^ "Twelve and Counting: Arundell and Ford set sights on Edinburgh". Six Nations Rugby. 7 February 2026. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ "Feyi-Waboso out of England's Six Nations opener". BBC Sport. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ^ "Lowest Cardiff Six Nations crowd amid rugby turmoil". BBC Sport. 15 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
- ^ a b "M6N Statistics – 2026". Six Nations Rugby. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
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