The Six Nations is almost here as rugby’s annual spring spectacular returns with perhaps the most open edition yet.
Defending champions Ireland are on the hunt for an unprecedented three-peat, but face a potentially tricky opener against the team that denied them back-to-back grand slams a year ago. England have had precious little success since that Twickenham win yet head to Dublin with a degree of confidence - Steve Borthwick named his side for the Aviva Stadium clash two days ahead of schedule as he looks to get on the front foot ahead of a defining campaign. Interim boss Simon Easterby has now confirmed the hosts side, with a key call made at fly half with Sam Prendergast beating Jack Crowley for the starting shirt. Scottish and Italian team news is also due today.
France and Wales confirmed their XVs yesterday ahead of their opening night battle at the Stade de France. Can a wounded Welsh side end their winless woe? Or will this be the start of another Antoine Dupont-inspired success for Fabien Galthie’s men? The form book suggests only one conclusion but this grand old championship has a habit of throwing up a surprise or two...
Follow all of the latest build-up and analysis ahead of the start of the Six Nations in our live blog below:
Six Nations LIVE
- Six Nations set to begin with an open tournament expected
- Ireland youngster Sam Prendergast is preferred to Jack Crowley at fly half against England
- France and Wales kick start the championship on Friday night
- Antoine Dupont returns to skipper tournament favourites but Thibaud Flament and Damian Penaud ruled out
- No Taulupe Faletau for Wales as Ben Thomas handed starting fly half's shirt
Andy Farrell appoints first members of British and Irish Lions coaching staff
13:00
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Harry Latham-Coyle
The British and Irish Lions have confirmed David Nucifora and Aled Walters as the first appointments to Andy Farrell's backroom staff for this summer's tour to Australia.
Nucifora has been seconded from Scottish Rugby and will perform the role of general manager of performance, while head of athletic performance Walters joins from the Irish Rugby Football Union.
Completing the trio of recruits for the 10-fixture tour is Ireland's Vinny Hammond, who will travel Down Under as head of analysis.
Nucifora is Australian, won two caps in the early 1990s and worked closely with current Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt when they were both employed by the IRFU, while Walters helped South Africa win the 2019 World Cup.
Six Nations predictions: Winner, top try-scorer, breakthrough star and more
12:30
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Two months, 15 fixtures, and plenty of twists and turns - the 2025 men’s Six Nations should be quite the ride. Predictions are often proved folly by this fickle competition but we’ve given it a go...
Ireland reveal team to face England - with Sam Prendergast at fly half
12:08
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Ireland have confirmed their line-up for the clash with England, with Sam Prendergast given the starting fly half berth. The Leinster youngster is the standout inclusion in a relatively settled side shorn of Joe McCarthy due to injury - Ryan Baird thus begins on the blindside with Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan in the second row.
James Lowe is deemed to fit to start while Dan Sheehan also makes the bench after returning from a long lay-off for Leinster last weekend.
Ireland XV: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Finlay Bealham; 4 James Ryan, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (capt.); 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Sam Prendergast; 11 James Lowe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Mack Hansen; 15 Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jack Conan; 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Robbie Henshaw.
Our team to face England in Saturday's Guinness Men's Six Nations opener! #TeamOfUs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) January 30, 2025
The peculiar Wales selection that shows Warren Gatland’s muddled thinking ahead of crucial Six Nations
12:00
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Ben Thomas will play his first Six Nations minutes tomorrow with the Cardiff playmaker, often used at 12, starting at fly half. How did Wales end up in this situation? And why wasn’t Gareth Anscombe included in Warren Gatland’s squad? It’s a bit of a puzzler.
Five talking points as Wales and France kick off 2025 Six Nations campaign in Paris
11:30
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Les Bleus are overwhelming favourites to continue Wales’ long Test match losing run that began against 2023 World Cup quarter-final opponents Argentina.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some key talking points ahead of the game.
'Proud Welshman' Adam Jones gives clear verdict on Warren Gatland ahead of Six Nations
11:15
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Adam Jones has backed Warren Gatland to turn Wales’s fortunes around as they head into a Six Nations campaign on the back of 12 successive Test defeats.
Opening night could hardly be tougher for Wales – France rugby in Paris on Friday – with Les Bleus welcoming star player Antoine Dupont back to the Six Nations stage following his Olympic sevens gold medal heroics last summer.
Wales have not won a Test since beating 2023 World Cup pool opponents Georgia almost 16 months ago, a miserable run that has piled pressure on head coach Gatland and his players.
Former prop Jones featured in three grand slam-winning teams – two of those during Gatland’s first reign as Wales boss from 2008 to 2019 – and won 95 caps, plus five Test appearances for the British and Irish Lions.
He is now back in the Wales fold as scrum coaching consultant on secondment from Gallagher Premiership club Harlequins for the Six Nations duration and the 43-year-old’s infectious enthusiasm and passion for his job look likely to make an immediate impression after he began work at Wales’ training base.
Defiant Warren Gatland sends warning to Wales' Six Nations rivals
11:00
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Warren Gatland has sent a defiant message to Wales’ Six Nations rivals, warning them to write his side off at their peril.
Wales had a turbulent 2024 and enter next weekend’s opener in Paris against a formidable France outfit low on momentum.
Gatland’s side suffered humiliation last year when they were forced to settle for the wooden spoon for the first time since 2003.
And a dismal record now sees them on a record losing run of 12 successive Test matches, having not tasted a Test victory since beating World Cup pool opponents Georgia 15 months ago.
Warren Gatland explains Taulupe Faletau's omission from Wales' opening Six Nations clash with France
10:45
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Wales are hoping number eight Taulupe Faletau will be fit for the Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome.
Faletau had been widely expected to make his return after almost 16 months out of Test rugby in Friday’s opening Six Nations appointment with France.
But Wales head coach Warren Gatland says the forward feels he is “not quite ready” for selection and made that call himself this week.
“He made the call on Tuesday to say he is not quite ready for selection,” Gatland said.
“He is still part of the squad and he will still come with us. We are hoping he will be right for Italy.”
Former England prop Henry Thomas set for first Wales start in Six Nations opener against France
10:30
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Former England prop Henry Thomas will make his first Wales start in Friday’s Guinness Six Nations opener against France.
The ex-Sale and Bath tighthead, who also played French club rugby for Castres and Montpellier, has won four caps as a replacement since switching allegiance to Wales in 2023.
Thomas, whose father is from Swansea, was able to make the move under World Rugby regulations because his last England appearance had been more than three years earlier.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has also handed a full Test bow to 23-year-old Cardiff hooker Evan Lloyd, who steps up with Dewi Lake and Ryan Elias both injured, against a juggernaut French pack in Paris.
There is no return for 104 times-capped number eight Taulupe Faletau, though, who was named in Gatland’s Six Nations squad.
British & Irish Lions 2025: Predicting the squad to tour Australia ahead of the Six Nations
10:15
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Harry Latham-Coyle
And here’s our stab at what Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions squad might look like...
What will British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell be watching during the Six Nations?
10:00
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Harry Latham-Coyle
The quadrennial assembly of Britain and Ireland’s best and brightest will add yet more meaning to the Six Nations as Lions selection looms large over the tournament.
While it is, ultimately, the competition prize that players will be vying for, all of those eligible will be fully aware that Andy Farrell will be watching closely as he bids to narrow down his squad ahead of the tour of Australia.
England are understood to have addressed the conversation directly as they prepare for a vital campaign, while Ireland captain Caelan Doris has admitted that it will serve as an “extra factor” as the four constituent nations navigate the championship.
With his first coaching appointments in place, Farrell can now cast his discerning eye over the opening rounds of the tournament with plenty of themes set to emerge.
What might he particularly be looking out for?
Ireland suffer crushing injury blow ahead of England Six Nations clash
09:40
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Harry Latham-Coyle
We await confirmation of the full Ireland team news, but we know that there will be no Tadhg Furlong - the tighthead is out of the opening weekend with injury.
Former Ireland assistant Les Kiss highlights unlikely Six Nations benefit to Andy Farrell's sabbatical
09:25
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Could Andy Farrell’s Ireland sabbatical end up working in Ireland’s favour? Former assistant Les Kiss thinks so.
The challenges standing between Ireland and Six Nations history
09:10
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Harry Latham-Coyle
It sounds like it might just be Sam Prendergast named at fly half for Ireland today, but the debate between him and Jack Crowley at 10 will rage throughout the tournament. Ireland are chasing history, as Michael Cooke explains...
Six Nations stands as a rare shining light amid rugby's turmoil
08:57
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Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s shaping up to be another cracking edition of a tournament that remains rugby’s prize property:
Six Nations LIVE
08:49
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Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s Six Nations eve, with another big day of news ahead of rugby’s greatest annual championship. Ireland, Scotland and Italy are all set to confirm their line-ups today as the build-up intensifies ahead of tomorrow’s opener between France and Wales - let’s get going...
Six Nations predictions: Winner, top try-scorer, breakthrough star and more
Wednesday 29 January 2025 17:57
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Lawrence Ostlere
An intriguing Six Nations is set to begin as the annual championship pitting the northern hemisphere’s best sides against each other returns with as many fascinating storylines as ever. What do The Independent’s team of writers think might occur over the next few weeks? We gathered to make our predictions for the tournament.
The peculiar Wales selection that shows Warren Gatland’s muddled thinking ahead of crucial Six Nations
Wednesday 29 January 2025 17:26
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Lawrence Ostlere
So it will Ben Thomas, as expected, at fly half for Wales in Paris, with Dan Edwards awaiting a debut off the bench. The pair have zero previous Six Nations experience - making the omission of Gareth Anscombe from Warren Gatland’s squad all the more peculiar.
Romain Ntamack included in French side to form deadly halfback combination
Wednesday 29 January 2025 16:46
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Michael Cooke
French Marvel Romain Ntamack returns after a long 18 months on the side-line.
The 25 year old missed the 2023 Rugby World Cup due to a knee injury and his return last November was sadly curtailed by a calf injury.
This Six Nations the Toulouse fly half will return to form a dangerous half back partnership with club teammate Antoine Dupont, after coach Fabien Galthie announced their squad for Friday against Wales.
Ntamack's return pushes Thomas Ramos to fullback in place of Leo Barre, while Pierre-Louis Barassi replaces Fickou in the midfield, and Attissogbe takes Gabin Villiere's place on the wing.
Meanwhile, Damien Penaud was expected to return to the squad this week, but suffered a toe injury in training, ruling him out of their opening game vs Wales.
His injury further adding to a list of key players unavailable for Friday's clash at the Stade de France.
Williams and Adam's return to break dismal record
Wednesday 29 January 2025 16:03
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Michael Cooke
Wales have been boosted by the return of winger Josh Adams and Fullback Liam Williams for their Six Nations opener against France in Paris on Friday.
The experienced Adams and Williams missed much of the last season with Injury, as they now seek to end a dismal team record run of 12 defeats in a row dating back to the 2023 Rugby World Cup which has put coach Warren Gatland under the spotlight.
Gatland admitted their strategy going forward was to let the experienced voices lead the team with the return of veterans like Adams and Williams: “Part of our thinking was bringing some experience back and getting some balance in. Having a voice and getting some confidence in those around them.”
“There has been a good buzz around the team, the next couple of days it’s about coaches taking a step back and allowing players to lead.”
Former England prop Henry Thomas set for first Wales start in Six Nations opener against France
Wednesday 29 January 2025 14:15
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Lawrence Ostlere
Former England prop Henry Thomas will make his first Wales start in Friday’s Guinness Six Nations opener against France.
The ex-Sale and Bath tighthead, who also played French club rugby for Castres and Montpellier, has won four caps as a replacement since switching allegiance to Wales in 2023.
Thomas, whose father is from Swansea, was able to make the move under World Rugby regulations because his last England appearance had been more than three years earlier.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has also handed a full Test bow to 23-year-old Cardiff hooker Evan Lloyd, who steps up with Dewi Lake and Ryan Elias both injured, against a juggernaut French pack in Paris.
Andy Farrell appoints first members of British and Irish Lions coaching staff
Wednesday 29 January 2025 13:45
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The British and Irish Lions have confirmed David Nucifora and Aled Walters as the first appointments to Andy Farrell's backroom staff for this summer's tour to Australia.
Nucifora has been seconded from Scottish Rugby and will perform the role of general manager of performance, while head of athletic performance Walters joins from the Irish Rugby Football Union.
Completing the trio of recruits for the 10-fixture tour is Ireland's Vinny Hammond, who will travel Down Under as head of analysis.
Nucifora is Australian, won two caps in the early 1990s and worked closely with current Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt when they were both employed by the IRFU, while Walters helped South Africa win the 2019 World Cup.
Ireland suffer crushing injury blow ahead of England Six Nations clash
Wednesday 29 January 2025 13:15
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Ireland suffered a major blow ahead of their Six Nations opener against England this weekend with talismanic prop Tadhg Furlong ruled out of the clash through injury.
The 32-year-old has suffered a recurrence of a calf problem while training in Portugal and will be sidelined for Saturday’s clash at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin that kicks off Ireland’s Six Nations title defence.
Tighthead Furlong has flown home for further assessment and has been replaced in the squad by uncapped Connacht front-rower Jack Aungier, with Finlay Bealham likely to start in the No 3 jersey against England.
Six new faces to watch in this year's tournament
Wednesday 29 January 2025 12:50
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Hope springs eternal as the Six Nations sides renew hostilities in rugby’s grandest old championship.
Another competitive edition of the tournament looks likely in 2025 with questions for each and every one of the competing sextet, and with the fixtures given an extra edge in a British and Irish Lions year.
A fresh crop of new faces just taking their first steps on the international stage will be out to make their mark over the next few weeks, with places on the plane to Australia perhaps up for grabs for those eligible.
There will be plenty of excitement around France and Italy, too, as the pair continue to unearth new talent.
The Independent has picked out one new(ish) face from each nation who could be set for a breakthrough tournament:
Maro Itoje demands hard work as England look to put difficult 2024 behind them
Wednesday 29 January 2025 12:15
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Maro Itoje has made realising England’s potential his number one priority after being installed as captain for the Six Nations.
Itoje has taken charge of the team in place of Jamie George following a 2024 that produced just five wins in 12 Tests, a disappointing year that has turned the upcoming tournament into a pivotal period for head coach Steve Borthwick.
The nadir of those results was three successive losses at Allianz Stadium during the autumn and England were roundly criticised as a result, but Itoje insists proving people wrong cannot be the motivation for delivering in the Championship.
Finn Russell and Scotland plot a ‘different’ answer to the same old Six Nations question
Wednesday 29 January 2025 11:45
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Yet more injury worries are not what Scotland want after a couple of difficult weeks on the fitness front. That has rather punctured the optimism that this could be their year - but Finn Russell and his side have a plan, as I found out when I spoke with the fly half ahead of the tournament:
Wales name team for France clash
Wednesday 29 January 2025 11:36
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Warren Gatland has handed Ben Thomas a first Six Nations start at fly half for Wales’s clash with France on Friday, but there is no Taulupe Faletau in his squad.
Wales XV: 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Evan Lloyd, 3 Henry Thomas; 4 Will Rowlands, 5 Dafydd Jenkins; 6 James Botham, 7 Jac Morgan (captain), 8 Aaron Wainwright; 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Ben Thomas; 11 Josh Adams, 12 Owen Watkin, 13 Nick Tompkins, 14 Tom Rogers; 15 Liam Williams.
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Freddie. Thomas, 20 Tommy Reffell; 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Blair Murray.
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— Welsh Rugby Union (@WelshRugbyUnion) January 29, 2025
Here is your Wales 2️⃣3️⃣ for our @SixNationsRugby opener @FranceRugby on Friday night at the Stade de France, 20:15 KO! #GuinnessM6N | #FRAvWAL
Steve Tandy hopeful Duhan van der Merwe will be fit for Scotland’s Italy clash
Wednesday 29 January 2025 11:15
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Steve Tandy indicated that Scotland’s record try-scorer Duhan van der Merwe will be fit and available for selection for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener at home to Italy.
The South Africa-born wing sat out training with the national team early last week after missing Edinburgh’s Challenge Cup match against Black Lion on January 19 with an ankle injury sustained against Vannes the previous weekend.
Asked how Van der Merwe was progressing, defence coach Tandy said on Monday: “Duhan’s been in training today, he’s been good, he’s done everything today.”
'Proud Welshman' Adam Jones gives clear verdict on Warren Gatland ahead of Six Nations
Wednesday 29 January 2025 10:45
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Adam Jones has backed Warren Gatland to turn Wales’s fortunes around as they head into a Six Nations campaign on the back of 12 successive Test defeats.
Opening night could hardly be tougher for Wales – France rugby in Paris on Friday – with Les Bleus welcoming star player Antoine Dupont back to the Six Nations stage following his Olympic sevens gold medal heroics last summer.
Wales have not won a Test since beating 2023 World Cup pool opponents Georgia almost 16 months ago, a miserable run that has piled pressure on head coach Gatland and his players.
Former prop Jones featured in three grand slam-winning teams – two of those during Gatland’s first reign as Wales boss from 2008 to 2019 – and won 95 caps, plus five Test appearances for the British and Irish Lions.
He is now back in the Wales fold as scrum coaching consultant on secondment from Gallagher Premiership club Harlequins for the Six Nations duration and the 43-year-old’s infectious enthusiasm and passion for his job look likely to make an immediate impression after he began work at Wales’ training base.
Predicting the Lions squad
Wednesday 29 January 2025 10:15
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Harry Latham-Coyle
What could Andy Farrell’s squad look like? After the Autumn Nations Series, we updated our predicted 38-man touring party to take on the Wallabies - but plenty could still change.
