The 2026 Six Nations Championship kicks off on February 5th, with defending champions France facing Ireland in Paris. This year's tournament promises intense competition, with England aiming for their first title since 2020. The BBC will broadcast select matches, with ITV holding the rights for the majority of the games, including all of England's fixtures.

Key matches to watch include Italy versus Scotland and England against Wales in the opening weekend. The tournament features only one fallow week, after the third round of matches. France, England, and Ireland are considered the favorites. Last year's tournament saw France take the title, with England in second place.

The BBC will offer live text commentary, expert analysis, and highlights. The BBC Rugby Weekly podcast will become a daily offering. Radio coverage will be extensive across various BBC platforms. With the games spread across multiple channels, fans have many options to follow the action.

The Six Nations provides a thrilling showcase of European rugby. The format sees teams earning points for wins and bonus points for high-scoring games. The team completing a Grand Slam receives extra bonus points. With England and France tied for the most titles since Italy joined, the competition is fierce.