Six Nations: Dates, schedule, format, venues, history & more

We take a look at everything you need to know about the 2025 Six Nations.

Six Nations dates and schedule

The opening game of the Six Nations 2025 will take place on Friday 31st January, with France hosting Wales in what could be a high-scoring encounter after 2024's meeting in Cardiff - which Les Bleus won 45-24.

Fixtures will then be played on the weekends of 8th February, 22nd February, 8th March and 15th March 2025, the last of which will see all three games played on the Saturday.

Round 1 fixtures:

Friday 31st January 2025

• France v Wales, Stade de France (20:15 GMT)

Saturday 1st February 2025

• Scotland v Italy, Murrayfield (14:15 GMT)
• Ireland v England, Aviva Stadium (16:45 GMT)

Round 2 fixtures:

Saturday 8th February 2025

• Italy v Wales, Stadio Olimpico (14:15 GMT)
• England v France, Twickenham (16:45 GMT)

Sunday 9th February 2025

• Scotland v Ireland, Murrayfield (15:00 GMT)

Round 3 fixtures:

Saturday 22nd February 2025

• Wales v Ireland, Principality Stadium (14:15 GMT)
• England v Scotland, Twickenham (16:45 GMT)

Sunday 23rd February 2025

• Italy v France, Stadio Olimpico (15:00 GMT)

Round 4 fixtures:

Saturday 8th March 2025

• Ireland v France, Aviva Stadium (14:15 GMT)
• Scotland v Wales, Murrayfield (16:45 GMT)

Sunday 9th March 2025

• England v Italy, Twickenham (15:00 GMT)

Round 5 fixtures:

Saturday 15th March 2025

• Italy v Ireland, Stadio Olimpico (14:15 GMT)
• Wales v England, Principality Stadium (16:45 GMT)
• France v Scotland, Stade de France (20:00 GMT)

Six Nations format

After five rounds, the team with the most points in the table wins the Championship, however there are also several other awards embedded in the event.

For the Home Nations - England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland - the Triple Crown is available for any team that wins all three fixtures against their neighbours.

Doing so will also help a country achieve the holy grail of European international rugby by completing a clean sweep of five wins, known as a Grand Slam.

There is also the Calcutta Cup, which is played for annually by England and Scotland amongst the other seven mini-competitions within the competition, while the Wooden Spoon is awarded to the team that finishes bottom of the standings.

Six Nations teams and venues

All six countries usually host games in their respective capitals. England will play their home matches on the outskirts of London at Twickenham, while Scotland's Edinburgh base is Murrayfield.

Wales' home ground is the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and Dublin's Aviva Stadium will host Ireland's matches.

Italy's home is Rome's Stadio Olimpico, while Paris' majestic Stade de France, situated in the suburb of Saint-Denis, will be the setting for France's home matches.

Country	Stadium
England	Twickenham, London
France	Stade de France, Paris
Ireland	Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Italy	Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Scotland	Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Wales	Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Six Nations history

The Six Nations was first played between the current competing countries in 2000, however, the tournament has been held annually since 1883. It was then known as the Home Nations Championship and featured England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

It expanded into the Five Nations with the addition of France in 1910. Italy were next to be included in 2000, famously winning their historic first match 32-20 against Scotland in Rome.

England are the most successful country to have competed in the competition, winning the tournament in its various guises outright on 29 occasions. They have one more title than nearest rivals Wales, while they have won 13 Grand Slams to Wales' 12.

England's last Grand Slam success came in 2016, while Wales achieved the same feat three years later.

Conversely, Ireland have been awarded the most Wooden Spoons with 25. However, Italy's tally of 18 in 23 tournament appearances suggests they will soon take over that mantle. However, they did avoid bottom spot in 2024, with the unfortunate award going to Wales who lost each of their five matches.

What is the Triple Crown?

The Triple Crown in the Six Nations is achieved by any of the competing four home nations - England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales - who are able to beat all three of the other teams.

England have won the most Triple Crowns in Six Nations history with 26, four more than Wales with 22.

Ireland were the last team to win the Triple Crown, achieving this feat in 2023.

What is the Grand Slam?

The Grand Slam in the Six Nations is achieved by any team who are able to win all five of their matches.

England have achieved this feat the most times in Six Nations history, winning the Grand Slam on 13 occasions.

Wales have won the second most Grand Slams with 12, whilst it was Ireland who most recently achieved this honour under the management of Andy Farrell in 2023.

What is the Wooden Spoon?

The Wooden Spoon in the Six Nations is awarded to the team that finishes in last place in the table.

In the Six Nations era, Italy have won the Wooden Spoon on the most occasions - claiming this unwanted award 18 times.

Other teams to have ended up with the Wooden Spoon in the Six Nations are Scotland (four times), Wales (twice) and France (once).