The Six Nations begins on Friday under the lights in Paris, drawing back the curtain on the most exciting six weeks of rugby action the northern hemisphere has to offer.

Defending champions Ireland are 7/4 joint-favourites with France ahead of the 2025 Six Nations Championship, which kicks off on Friday

WITH THE SIX Nations getting underway this weekend, we rank the contenders ahead of the opening round of fixtures. On paper, there’s not much to seperate Ireland and France, but Les Bleus might just be in a better place at the moment.

Technicians from England and France are set to help restore power to homes and businesses across Ireland following Storm Eowyn. More than 300,000 remain without power across Ireland following record-setting wind speeds.

A capsule look at England, France, defending champion Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations, which starts on Friday.

Ireland has called in help from England and France to restore power to hundreds of thousands of people after the most disruptive storm for years.

Will a returning Antoine Dupont lead France to victory? And is there any end to Wales’ woe? A thrilling campaign

New Zealand can never be underestimated and are sure to be strongly in the mix, but there’s good reason why many feel France will be the biggest challengers to the Springboks when they go in quest of a three-peat at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Technicians from England and France are set to help restore power to homes and businesses across Ireland following Storm Eowyn.

and further support is coming from France. He said the main focus this week is around restoring power and water. Workers clearing a fallen tree in Dublin as ESB networks continue to reconnect ...

Fabien Galthie's in-form France start this year's Six Nations by hosting struggling Wales on Friday with the head coach fully aware of the challenge of winning the title.

A France side bolstered by Antoine Dupont will begin their quest to deny Ireland an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title when they launch this year's edition at home to Wales on Friday.Scrum-half Dupont missed last year's tournament to focus on rugby sevens in the build-up to the Paris Games and his decision paid off in style with an Olympic gold medal at the Stade de France.