The 2025 Six Nations Championship should prove to be one of the most open in years with four teams holding genuine title aspirations – Ireland, France, England and Scotland. And although Wales and Italy are considered outsiders by the bookmakers, they both have the ability to cause upsets, especially on home soil.

Ireland are the reigning champions, their only defeat last year coming at the hands of England at Twickenham. This year, the Irish not only welcome Steve Borthwick’s men to Dublin but also France, which is a huge advantage in their hunt for three Six Nations titles in a row. There is an element of jeopardy, however, due to head coach Andy Farrell’s unavailability. Farrell has handed over the Irish reins, on an interim basis, to Simon Easterby so that he can focus on planning for the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

Full fixtures

(All times GMT)

Round one

• Fri, Jan 31: France v Wales, Stade de France, 8.15pm, ITV

• Sat, Feb 1: Scotland v Italy, Murrayfield, 2.15pm, BBC

• Sat, Feb 1: Ireland v England, Aviva Stadium, 4.45pm, ITV

Round two

• Sat, Feb 8: Italy v Wales, Stadio Olimpico, 2.15pm, ITV

• Sat, Feb 8: England v France, Twickenham, 4.45pm, ITV

• Sun, Feb 9: Scotland v Ireland, Murrayfield, 3pm, BBC

Round three

• Sat, Feb 22: Wales v Ireland, Principality Stadium, 2.15pm, BBC

• Sat, Feb 22: England v Scotland, Twickenham, 4.45pm, ITV

• Sun, Feb 23: Italy v France, Stadio Olimpico, 3pm, ITV

Round four

• Sat, Mar 8: Ireland v France, Aviva Stadium, 2.15pm, ITV

• Sat, Mar 8: Scotland v Wales, Murrayfield, 4.45pm, BBC

• Sun, Mar 9: England v Italy, Twickenham, 3pm, ITV

Round five

• Sat, Mar 15: Italy v Ireland, Stadio Olimpico, 2.15pm, ITV

• Sat, Mar 15: Wales v England, Principality Stadium, 4.45pm, BBC

• Sat, Mar 15: France v Scotland, Stade de France, 8pm, ITV

What TV channels are matches on?

The BBC and ITV will once again share coverage in the UK, with S4C offering Welsh language options. France Television will be the home of the Championship for French fans. RTE and Virgin Media will once again cover the games in Ireland. In Italy, Sky Italia continues its coverage of the Championship.

What happened to the Six Nations logo?

It was redesigned at the end of last year and launched amid much mockery. Supporters have variously compared the new version to the Mars logo, a Looney Tunes advert and Microsoft Word Art.

What are the latest odds?

• Ireland 5/4

• France 5/2

• England 4/1

• Scotland 12/1

• Wales 40/1

• Italy 250/1

Last year’s results and standings

Round one

• France 17 Ireland 38

• Italy 24 England 27

• Wales 26 Scotland 27

Round two

• Scotland 16 France 20

• England 16 Wales 14

• Ireland 36 Italy 0

Round three

• Ireland 31 Wales 7

• Scotland 30 England 21

• France 13 Italy 13

Round four

• Italy 31 Scotland 29

• England 23 Ireland 22

• Wales 24 France 45

Round five

• Wales 21 Italy 24

• Ireland 17 Scotland 13

• France 33 England 31