The Six Nations is back in all its glory this week and it should be a particularly memorable edition of the northern hemisphere’s premier rugby competition.

Ireland are seeking to become the first team ever to win the tournament three times in a row, with only a last-gasp drop goal from England fly-half Marcus Smith at Twickenham denying them back-to-back Grand Slam triumphs last year.

However, this time they won’t have Andy Farrell taking the coaching reins, with the British & Irish Lions boss having now handed over to defence guru Simon Easterby as he instead prepares for a summer tour of Australia.

France begin as slight favourites to take Ireland’s crown with Antoine Dupont now back to lead the side after missing last year’s Six Nations in pursuit of his Olympic gold sevens dream in Paris, with a massive showdown in Dublin in round four expected to be crucial once again.

An injury to influential captain Sione Tuipulotu could put a significant dent in Scotland’s bid for a first title since the last-ever Five Nations in 1999, while England could certainly use a positive showing to ease the pressure on Steve Borthwick following just five Test wins out of 12 in 2024.

Italy present something of a wildcard having almost won three games last year but then experienced some mixed results, while Wales could have to accept consecutive wooden spoons after losing a record 12 Test matches in a row.

The BBC and ITV are once again sharing television broadcast rights to the Six Nations in the UK, with the BBC getting the home matches of Scotland and Wales and ITV showing the home fixtures for England, Ireland, France and Italy.

However, this could well be the last time that the tournament is shown free-to-air on these shores, with that £90million deal ending after 2025 and reports this week that the Six Nations could move to pay TV from next year.

How to watch Six Nations 2025 live

All kick-off times GMT

Round one

Friday, January 31

France vs Wales (8:15pm, Stade de France, ITV1)

Saturday, February 1

Scotland vs Italy (2:15pm, Murrayfield, BBC One)

Ireland vs England (4:45pm, Aviva Stadium, ITV1)

Round two

Saturday, February 8

Italy vs Wales (2:15pm, Stadio Olimpico, ITV1)

England vs France (4:45pm, Allianz Stadium Twickenham, ITV1)

Sunday, February 9

Scotland vs Ireland (3pm, Murrayfield, BBC One)

Round three

Saturday, February 22

Wales vs Ireland (2:15pm, Principality Stadium, BBC One)

England vs Scotland (4:45pm, Allianz Stadium Twickenham, ITV1)

Sunday, February 23

Italy vs France (3pm, Stadio Olimpico, ITV1)

Round four

Saturday, March 8

Ireland vs France (2:15pm, Aviva Stadium, ITV1)

Scotland vs Wales (4:45pm, Murrayfield, BBC One)

Sunday, March 9

England vs Italy (3pm, Allianz Stadium Twickenham, ITV1)

Round five

Saturday, March 15

Italy vs Ireland (2:15pm, Stadio Olimpico, ITV1)

Wales vs England (4:45pm, Principality Stadium, BBC One)

France vs Scotland (8pm, Stade de France, ITV1)