Six Nations Championship will open its 26th season in the current format and 131st historical season on 31 January, 2025. Held over the course of one and half months, it will see the rugby teams of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Italy compete for the Championship Trophy.
The oldest sports tournament to be ever held between Home Nations, the Six Nations Championship is an annual rugby union competition. Back in 1883, when the competition was held for the first time, it was known as the Home Nations Championship, reflecting the origin of the participating teams.
This changed in 1910, when France joined the championship, turning it into the Five Nations Championship. In the period between 1932 and 1939 it briefly went back to its original name. The tournament was resumed as the Five Nations Championship again in 1947 after World War II. The latest change in the name occurred in 2000, when Italy joined the competition, turning it into the Six Nations Championship.
Since 2015, following the success of Georgia and Romania in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, calls were made to let them join the Championship.
When it comes to winner statistics, England and Wales hold the record with 39 titles each. In the current format, only Italy and Scotland haven’t won the Six Nations trophy yet. This season, Ireland will be entering the tournament as the two-times champion.
Will Ireland Do It Again?
Entering the tournament with two consecutive victories, one of them a Grand Slam, Ireland is clearly the favourite both among the fans and bookmakers. Riding on this wave, the Irish team will attempt to bag yet another trophy this year and become a three-time Six Nations champion. But their road to success isn’t without its bumps.
The 2024 Olympic Games weren’t particularly successful for Ireland. They advanced to the quarter finals but lost to Fiji 15 – 19, while France, one of their two biggest rivals, took the gold. With Antoine Dupont, one of the best European and world rugby players, joining the French squad for the Six Nations Championship, The Bleus become an even more formidable adversary for Ireland.
With the head coach Andy Farrell leading British & Irish Lions on his sabbatical, it is up to the interim coach Simon Easterby to take the Irish squad to their potential third title. This was initially considered as a possible biggest challenge Ireland could have faced.
On 15 January 2025 Easterby announced the squad for the tournament. As the interim coach mentioned prior to the start of the Championship, continuity in the player selection would be one of the key factors for Ireland to keep pushing for the third title in a row. Staying true to his words, Easterby presented a combination of major players and newcomers that earned him accolades. We will dive deeper into some of the most outstanding players of the tournament below.
Ireland will open the tournament on the first Saturday, 1 February and will host England at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
2025 Six Nations Championship Squads: Rising Stars and Veteran Players
One of the biggest announcements for this year’s Six Nations squads came from Steve Borthwick. England’s head coach introduced Maro Itoje as the team captain after Jamie George was demoted from the position. One of the deciding factors for this appointment, according to Borthwick himself, was Itoje’s ability to play for a full 80 minutes, which he demonstrated in the autumn campaign. Other changes in the English squad serve to balance fresh talent with experience, clearly indicating that England plans to return their past fame in the Six Nations.
As mentioned above, Ireland’s interim head coach Simon Easterby went with consistency when selecting his squad. Jack Boyle, who played as a Development Player in the last year’s Autumn Nations Series, will be joining the team. Four newcomers were added to the team as Development Players: Hugh Cooney, James McNabney, Ben Murphy, and Cathal Forde. Their presence is expected to add depth to the game provided by veterans like James Lowe and Dan Sheehan who are expected to return, subject to successful recovery after injuries.
Another immediate contender for the trophy, France, announced that scrum half Antoine Dupont will be joining the squad, once again confirming that Les Bleus are very serious about winning the champion title this year. Tournament débutée Emmanuel Meafou will bring physical presence to the squad, alongside Marko Gazzotti and Joshua Brennan. All in all, French head coach Fabien Galthié continues to build depth in his squad mixing new and existing talent, while also waiting for some key players like Charles Ollivon and Arthur Vincent to return after injuries.
Italy continues to build up on the last year’s successful campaign, and enters the tournament with most of its experienced players coming back. Tommaso Menoncello who was named 2024’s Player of the Tournament will be one of the key figures on the field. However, winger Louis Lynagh will be missing from the squad this time, as he is recovering from an injury.
This year Scotland shows true dedication to balancing experience with young power, with two uncapped players, fly-half Fergus Burke and Glasgow Warriors No. 8 Jack Mann, and veteran lock Jonny Gray, who counts 77 caps on his record, coming out on the field together.
Wales’ squad will miss a number of their key players due to injuries, captain Dewi Lake being one of them. Jac Morgan will step in to fulfill the captain’s duties. Seasoned players Taulupe Faletau, Liam Williams, and Josh Adams will be supported by two uncapped players, fly-half Dan Edwards and winger Ellis Mee.
2025 Six Nations Championship Schedule
According to the format of the competition, each team plays against all other teams once, with no return matches. This brings the total number of games played during a season to 15. The advantage of the home turf for each pair alternates every year.
Here is how the home advantage is distributed among the teams:
Three home matches | Two home matches | |||||
Even Years | France
vs England vs Ireland vs Italy |
Ireland
vs Italy vs Scotland vs Wales |
Wales
vs France vs Italy vs Scotland |
England
vs Ireland vs Wales |
Italy
vs England vs Scotland |
Scotland
vs England vs France |
Odd Years | England
vs France vs Italy vs Scotland |
Italy
vs France vs Ireland vs Wales |
Scotland
vs Ireland vs Italy vs Wales |
France
vs Scotland vs Wales |
Ireland
vs England vs France |
Wales
vs England vs Ireland |
France will play both the opening and the closing match of this season’s tournament. The former will take place against Wales on Friday, 31 January, while the latter will be played against Scotland on Saturday, 15 March.
Below you will find a full overview of the 2025 Six Nations Championship schedule:
Team | England | France | Ireland | Italy | Scotland | Wales |
England | – | 8 February | 9 March | 22 February | ||
France | – | 15 March | 31 January | |||
Ireland | 1 February | 8 March | – | |||
Italy | 23 February | 15 March | – | 8 February | ||
Scotland | 9 February | 1 February | – | 8 March | ||
Wales | 15 March | 22 February |
|
2025 Six Nations Championship: Tournament Timeline & Detailed Fixtures
The 2025 Six Nations Championship will open on Friday, 31 January and close on Saturday, 15 March. Apart from the opening game, all matches will take place on weekends.
Round One<
FRIDAY, 31 JANUARY 2025
Match: France vs Wales
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
SATURDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2025
Match: Scotland vs Italy
Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Match: Ireland vs England
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Round Two
SATURDAY, 8 FEBRUARY
Match: Italy vs Wales
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Match: England vs France
Venue: Allianz Twickenham Stadium, London, England
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
SUNDAY, 9 FEBRUARY
Match: Scotland vs Ireland
Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Round Three
SATURDAY, 22 FEBRUARY
Match: Wales vs Ireland
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Match: England vs Scotland
Venue: Allianz Twickenham Stadium, London, England
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
SUNDAY, 23 FEBRUARY
Match: Italy vs France
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Round Four
SATURDAY, 8 MARCH
Match: Ireland vs France
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Match: Scotland vs Wales
Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
SUNDAY, 9 MARCH
Match: England vs Italy
Venue: Allianz Twickenham Stadium, London, England
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Round Five
SATURDAY, 15 MARCH
Match: Italy vs Ireland
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Match: Wales vs England
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Match: France vs Scotland
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
2025 Six Nations Championship: Team Analyses and Expectations
From the defending champion Ireland to the last year’s Wooden Spoon awardee Wales, all six participating teams enter the 2025 Six Nations Championship with a mixed bag of advantages, disadvantages, and plans.
England
Titles since 2000: 7
Last title: 2020
Last Grand Slam: 2016
England holds seven champion titles since the tournament took its current format in 2000, the highest number among the participating teams. Yet, it was in 2020 when they last walked off the stadium as the Six Nations champion.
Their recent games reveal that England is still looking for consistency in the squad amid the rebuilding phase. What plays to their advantage, though, is the fortunate blend of young talent and experienced players like Maro Itoje that still makes England a rival to reckon with. If they find stability and keep the momentum, the Red Rose can turn their moments of excellence into a real victory.
France
Titles since 2000: 6
Last title: 2022
Last Grand Slam: 2022
The reigning Olympic champions in men’s rugby, France has definitely a lot to prove in this tournament. Despite some unexpected results, like a draw against Italy early on last year, Les Bleus are firmly considered the main rival of the Six Nations defending champion, Ireland.
Two aspects that make France a formidable contender and a realistic candidate for the title are their attacking style and the return of their magnificent scrum half Antoine Dupont, who is often dubbed as the best rugby player in the world.
Ireland
Titles since 2000: 6
Last title: 2024
Last Grand Slam: 2023
Two times defending champions and the latest holders of the Grand Slam, Ireland is clearly aiming at something that no team in the Six Nations has achieved so far — take the trophy home for the third time in a row.
Consistency and depth of play Ireland has shown recently makes many believe that it is quite realistic for them to achieve this feat. Adding to the advantages is the fact that they will be meeting two of their most formidable rivals, England and France, on their home turf at Aviva Stadium. However, the absence of the head coach Andy Farrell, who is currently on sabbatical, is seen as a potential obstacle for the team. Ireland will enter the tournament led by an interim coach Simon Easterby.
Italy
Titles since 2000: none
Last title: none
Last Grand Slam: none
Even though the Azzurri have been part of the tournament since 2000, they still are to win their first title. While they won two games against Scotland and Wales in the last championship and finished the match with France with an impressive draw, Italy’s main weak point remains their inconsistency.
However, many talk about their undeniable improvement over the years. The trophy might not be in the plans for now, but if they manage to climb up the championship table from last year’s fifth position, that would definitely be seen as another step towards progress.
Scotland
Titles since 2000: none
Last title: none
Last Grand Slam: none
Four consecutive wins in the oldest rugby tournament, Calcutta Cup, against their historical rival England on the one hand and failure to secure any wins in the Six Nations Championship since 2000 on the other make the Scottish team probably the most unpredictable contender.
Still, the chemistry head coach Gregor Townsend managed to develop among his team members makes them quite capable of putting up a worthy battle against their opponents, especially with players like Finn Russell and Duhan van der Merwe on the field.
Wales
Titles since 2000: 6
Last title: 2021
Last Grand Slam: 2019
Wales used to be one of the most formidable powers in the tournament, sharing the record for the most titles with England. Out of six of their wins in the Six Nations Championship since 2000, four were Grand Slams. This all came to a screeching halt after their victory in 2021. For the next three tournaments they have been hanging in the bottom lines of the championship table.
Two of the main concerns for Warren Gatland’s team are its aging squad and injury concerns. This brought around the need for rebuilding.
2025 Six Nations Championship: Broadcasting Information
All 15 games of the 2025 season will be conducted around six stadiums and will be available for live audiences:
Nation | Home stadium | Location |
England | Twickenham Stadium | London |
France | Stade de France | Saint-Denis |
Ireland | Aviva Stadium | Dublin |
Italy | Stadio Olimpico | Rome |
Scotland | Murrayfield Stadium | Edinburgh |
Wales | Principality Stadium | Cardiff |
If you prefer to watch the games from the comfort of your home, in the UK the broadcasting will be available on either BBC or ITV, depending on the game. All games will be broadcast live. Below you will find a detailed schedule of where and when you can watch each game.
ROUND ONE
- Match: France vs Wales
- When: Friday 31 January
- What time: 20:15 GMT
- Where: Live on ITV
- Match: Scotland vs Italy
- When: Saturday 1 February
- What time: 14:15 GMT
- Where: Live on BBC
- Match: Ireland vs England
- When: Saturday 1 February
- What time: 16:45 GMT
- Where: Live on ITV
ROUND TWO
- Match: Italy vs Wales
- When: Saturday 8 February
- What time: 14:15 GMT
- Where: Live on ITV
- Match: England vs France
- When: Saturday 8 February
- What time: 16:45 GMT
- Where: Live on ITV
- Match: Scotland vs Ireland
- When: Sunday 9 February
- What time: 15:00 GMT
- Where: Live on BBC
ROUND THREE
- Match: Wales vs Ireland
- When: Saturday 22 February
- What time: 14:15 GMT
- Where: Live on BBC
- Match: England vs Scotland
- When: Saturday 22 February
- What time: 16:45 GMT
- Where: Live on ITV
- Match: Italy vs France
- When: Sunday 23 February
- What time: 15:00 GMT
- Where: Live on ITV
ROUND FOUR
- Match: Ireland vs France
- When: Saturday 8 March
- What time: 14:15 GMT
- Where: Live on ITV
- Match: Scotland vs Wales
- When: Saturday 8 March
- What time: 16:45 GMT
- Where: Live on BBC
- Match: England vs Italy
- When: Sunday 9 March
- What time: 15:00 GMT
- Where: Live on ITV
ROUND FIVE
- Match: Italy vs Ireland
- When: Saturday 15 March
- What time: 14:15 GMT
- Where: Live on ITV
- Match: Wales vs England
- When: Saturday 15 March
- What time: 16:45 GMT
- Where: Live on BBC
- Match: France vs Scotland
- When: Saturday 15 March
- What time: 20:00 GMT
- Where: Live on ITV
2025 Six Nations Championship Betting and Odds
As one of the significant events in the world of rugby, Six Nations Championship attracts the attention of both punters and bookmakers. Major bookies offer various odds for the championship in compliance with the rugby betting market.
If you are interested in placing a bet on rugby matches, 7bet offers a variety of markets on its Six Nations Championship betting page and rugby union betting page.
At the time of the publication of this article, 7bet offered the following odds on the Championship winner:
Team | Odds |
Ireland | 7/4 |
France | 7/4 |
England | 33/10 |
Scotland | 6/1 |
Wales | 69/1 |
Italy | 149/1 |
Please note that the odds are accurate as per the publishing time of the article. Make sure to check the odds before placing a bet.
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org