France 36-14 Ireland: Six Nations 2026 opener – as it happened

Les Bleus opened the tournament with a dominant victory in Paris

Six Nations 2026 predictions: our writers on who will win and why

England have strength in depth, but France have history on their side, a returning hero, and hosting duties for the potentially decisive finale

Dupont’s France return can rock Ireland’s unstable foundations in Six Nations opener

If a talented Les Bleus click, the results could be spectacular against a much-changed Ireland with umpteen tricky questions to answer

ITV to screen in-game adverts for first time during rugby union’s Six Nations

ITV will screen in-game commercials for the first time during the Six Nations opener between France and Ireland at Stade de France on Thursday

Six Nations form guide: how the 2026 contenders are shaping up

England are bullish, France are in flux, while Wales will be hoping just to beat Italy and avoid the wooden spoon

‘Swagger’ and mindset change is key for England in Six Nations glory chase

Tommy Freeman knows an 11-match winning run brings expectation, but the England centre is sure they can thrive under pressure

England optimistic injured backline quartet will be ready for Calcutta Cup return

England are hoping to welcome back several of their backline for the Calcutta Cup match in round two of the Six Nations

England must overcome history of post-Lions hangovers to lift Six Nations title

In the professional era, there is a common denominator that suggests France and Ireland might be worth backing for 2026

Steve Borthwick asks for England fans’ roar in support of grieving Maro Itoje

Steve Borthwick has called on England supporters to give Maro Itoje ‘the roar he deserves’ when he comes off the bench in his side’s Six Nations opener against Wales

England’s Freddie Steward urges law tweak to stop spoiling tactics in aerial battles

The England full-back Freddie Steward has said it is ‘more difficult than ever’ to collect high balls and wants one-handed ‘flapping’ banned

So much at stake and Six Nations just the start in ‘massive year for rugby union’

We may know the sport’s future is bright when trendsetters worldwide are wearing Fabien Galthié-style shades

England captain Maro Itoje absent from training camp to attend mother’s funeral in Nigeria

Maro Itoje missed the launch of the 2026 Six Nations to attend the funeral of his mother in Nigeria

Van Poortvliet leads way before limping off as maddening Harlequins flop again

Leicester coped remarkably after illness swept through their squad but Quins cannot bring Champions Cup form to the Prem