Six Nations season to begin with a bang

The 2025 Guinness Six Nations gets under way this evening as France host Wales in Paris, while Ireland start the defence of their crown against England tomorrow (4.45pm).

With Andy Farrell on Lions duty, it's up to interim head coach Simon Easterby to lead Ireland to what would be an unprecedented three-in-a-row.

In fact, that feat has never been achieved outright in any iteration of the tournament, going back to the 1883 Home Nations Championship.

England in 2002 and 2018, France in 2008 and Wales in 2014 have all had the chance to win three in a row in the Six Nations era, while Ireland in 2016 were also on for a hat-trick.

Each time the back-to-back champions fell short and getting the job done this time would be possibly the most impressive of all.

The competition will, for the first time, feature the 20-minute red card rule, while recent laws protecting scrum-halves and lineout throws, are also in force.

Perhaps surprising installed as tournament favourites, Ireland will have to significantly improve from a lacklustre Autumn Nations Series.

They were distinctly second best against New Zealand and never really purred in the subsequent wins over Argentina, Fiji and Australia.

"There is a lot more in us and hopefully you’ll get to see that in the next few weeks," said scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.

Hosting England and France at home has probably given the bookies cause to hand Ireland the favourites tag but tomorrow's visitors, despite five losses in their last six games, will still arrive convinced they can back up last season's smash and grab.

Heavy underdogs going into the round-four game at Twickenham, England executed their game plan to perfection, even if it took a late dropgoal to win the match.

Maro Itoje is the new