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Arizona Tribune - Six Nations 2026 to start on Thursday to avoid Winter Olympics clash

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Six Nations 2026 to start on Thursday to avoid Winter Olympics clash
Six Nations 2026 to start on Thursday to avoid Winter Olympics clash / Photo: JULIEN DE ROSA - AFP/File

Six Nations 2026 to start on Thursday to avoid Winter Olympics clash

SPORTS 19.05.2025

Champions France will host Ireland in the opening game of next year's Six Nations with the first match of the tournament being held on a Thursday for the first time since 1948, organisers announced on Monday.

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The competition decided against holding the game on Friday, February 6 to avoid a clash with the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

The game is set to be held at the Stade de France, Paris while the French rugby federation told AFP Les Bleus' two other home games, against Italy and England, could be played in different cities.

Ireland will welcome Wales on a Friday in round four, a first time for a game to be held in that slot in Dublin.

In a change from recent years, there will be just one weekend off, instead of two for next season's edition.

Six Nations 2026 fixtures (times GMT):

Round one

February 5: France v Ireland (2010)

February 8: Italy v Scotland (1410), England v Wales (1640)

Round two

February 14: Ireland v Italy (1410), Scotland v England (1640)

February 15: Wales v France (1510)

Round three

February 21: England v Ireland (1410), Wales v Scotland (1640)

February 22: France v France (1510)

Round four

March 6: Ireland v Wales (2010)

March 7: Scotland v France (1410), Italy v England (1640)

Round five

March 14: Ireland v Scotland (1410), Wales v Italy (1640), France v England (2010)

K.Hill--AT

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