The northern hemisphere's showpiece annual rugby union tournament is about to get underway once more as England, France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales go into battle once more for the 2025 Six Nations.

Ireland are the defending champions of Rugby Six Nations, and are seeking an encore. Here is your ready reckoner for the 2025 edition of the tournament, which begins on January 31

The 2025 Six Nations kicks off at the Stade de France with an intriguing opening fixture between pretournament favorites France and out-of-form Wales. The French have inspirational captain Antoine Dupont back among the ranks and will be aiming to build on their autumn international wins over New Zealand and Australia.

As Wales prepare to kick off the 2025 Six Nations away to France, Warren Gatland will hope for an unlikley repeat of 2019 Welsh heroics in Paris.

Six Nations Rugby Tournament kicks off this week with France hosting Wales in the opening match of the competition. The annual event is held between the national teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales,

France trained at the Stade de France on Thursday, ahead of Friday night’s Six Nations opener against Wales. Their talismanic captain Antoine Dupont is back for ‘Les Bleus’ - the scrum half missed last year's tournament to concentrate on preparations for the Paris Olympics with the France sevens squad and he played a key role in the team winning the gold medal on home soil.