Fixtures, Odds, Team Guides, Coaches & Tournament Prediction

The Guinness Six Nations 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most finely balanced championships in years. France arrive as defending champions and clear favourites, England look primed for a genuine title challenge, and Ireland remain dangerous despite a demanding fixture list. Behind them, Scotland continue to threaten a breakthrough, while Wales and Italy enter the tournament with very different objectives.

This preview covers everything you need ahead of kick-off: fixtures, kick-off times, betting odds from bet365, team-by-team analysis, head coaches, key players, tactical approaches, and a final prediction on how the 2026 championship will unfold.

Six Nations 2026 – Outright Winner Odds (bet365)

• France – 4/6
• England – 12/5
• Ireland – 6/1
• Scotland – 14/1
• Wales – 125/1
• Italy – 125/1

France sit clear at the top of the market, but England and Ireland remain very much in contention depending on early results.

Six Nations 2026 – Grand Slam Odds (bet365)

Winning all five matches is the ultimate statement in Six Nations rugby. Here’s how bet365 price the Grand Slam markets:

• France – 7/4
• England – 7/2
• Ireland – 10/1
• Scotland – 25/1
• Wales – 150/1
• Italy – 250/1

France’s depth and home fixtures against Ireland and England make them the standout Grand Slam candidate.

Six Nations 2026 – Wooden Spoon Odds (bet365)

At the other end of the table, the Wooden Spoon market reflects two very different rebuilds:

• Italy – 4/6
• Wales – 11/10
• Scotland – 25/1
• Ireland – 40/1
• England – 50/1
• France – 66/1

Italy and Wales are expected to battle it out at the bottom, with their final-round meeting in Cardiff potentially decisive.

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Six Nations 2026 – Full Fixture List (GMT)

Round 1

• Thu 5 Feb: France 36-14 Ireland – Stade de France, Paris – 20:10
• Sat 7 Feb: Italy 18-15 Scotland – Stadio Olimpico, Rome – 14:10
• Sat 7 Feb: England 48-7 Wales – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham – 16:40

Round 2

• Sat 14 Feb: Ireland 20-13 Italy – Aviva Stadium, Dublin – 14:10
• Sat 14 Feb: Scotland 31-20 England – Murrayfield, Edinburgh – 16:40
• Sun 15 Feb: Wales 12-54 France – Principality Stadium, Cardiff – 15:10

Round 3

• Sat 21 Feb: England 21-42 Ireland – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham – 14:10
• Sat 21 Feb: Wales 23-26 Scotland – Principality Stadium, Cardiff – 16:40
• Sun 22 Feb: France 33-8 Italy – Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille – 15:10

Round 4

• Fri 6 Mar: Ireland vs Wales – Aviva Stadium, Dublin – 20:10
• Sat 7 Mar: Scotland vs France – Murrayfield, Edinburgh – 14:10
• Sat 7 Mar: Italy vs England – Stadio Olimpico, Rome – 16:40

Round 5 – Super Saturday

• Sat 14 Mar: Ireland vs Scotland – Aviva Stadium, Dublin – 14:10
• Sat 14 Mar: Wales vs Italy – Principality Stadium, Cardiff – 16:40
• Sat 14 Mar: France vs England – Stade de France, Paris – 20:10

Team-by-Team Six Nations 2026 Preview

England rugby union team

Head Coach: Steve Borthwick

Borthwick’s England are becoming increasingly comfortable with a territory-first, pressure-based game. Set-piece stability and defensive organisation remain the pillars of their success.

Key Players

• Maro Itoje
• Freddie Steward
• Emerging midfield and back-row combinations

Tactical Approach

England aim to dominate collisions, control territory with kicking, and squeeze opponents through sustained pressure rather than constant width.

England Fixtures

• Wales (H) – W 48-7
• Scotland (A) – L 31-20
• Ireland (H) – L 21-42
• Italy (A)
• France (A)

Verdict: England are France’s most credible title challengers. Wins at home against Wales and Ireland are essential.

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France rugby union team

Head Coach: Fabien Galthié

Galthié’s France combine structure with chaos better than anyone. They can win attritional matches or blow teams apart in broken play.

Key Players

• Antoine Dupont
• Damian Penaud
• Powerful second-row and back-row units

Tactical Approach

France thrive on counter-attack, turnover ball, and bench impact. Their ability to raise tempo late in matches is unmatched.

France Fixtures

• Ireland (H) – W 36-14
• Wales (A) – W 54-12
• Italy (H) – W 33-8
• Scotland (A)
• England (H)

Verdict: France are deserved favourites and control their own destiny.

Ireland rugby union team

Head Coach: Andy Farrell

Ireland remain one of the most system-driven sides in world rugby, relying on precision, ruck speed and continuity.

Key Players

• Caelan Doris
• Bundee Aki
• Hugo Keenan

Tactical Approach

Ireland aim to suffocate opponents through phase play, recycling quickly and stretching defences laterally.

Ireland Fixtures

• France (A) L 14-36
• Italy (H) W 20-13
• England (A) W 42-21
• Wales (H)
• Scotland (H)

Verdict: Ireland can challenge, but their away games in Paris and London make the path narrow.

Scotland rugby union team

Head Coach: Gregor Townsend

Scotland remain the championship’s most unpredictable side. On their day, they can beat anyone.

Key Players

• Finn Russell
• Duhan van der Merwe
• Dynamic back-row options

Tactical Approach

Scotland play at speed, attacking space early and often. When momentum flows, they are devastating.

Scotland Fixtures

• Italy (A) – L 15-18
• England (H) – W 31-20
• Wales (A) – W 26-23
• France (H)
• Ireland (A)

Verdict: If Scotland beat England early, they stay relevant deep into the tournament.

Wales rugby union team

Head Coach: Warren Gatland

Wales are rebuilding and will prioritise defensive resilience and emotional control.

Key Players

• Dewi Lake
• Young back-three prospects
• Leadership in the pack

Tactical Approach

Wales will look to slow games down, control territory, and make contests uncomfortable.

Wales Fixtures

• England (A) – L 7-48
• France (H) – L 12-54
• Scotland (H) – L 23-26
• Ireland (A)
• Italy (H)

Verdict: Avoiding the Wooden Spoon is the primary goal.

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Italy rugby union team

Head Coach: Gonzalo Quesada

Italy continue to evolve, playing with ambition and attacking confidence.

Key Players

• Ange Capuozzo
• Michele Lamaro
• Paolo Garbisi

Tactical Approach

Italy aim to play fast, use width, and strike from turnover ball, but consistency remains the challenge.

Italy Fixtures

• Scotland (H) – W 18-15
• Ireland (A) – L 13-20
• France (A) – L 8-33
• England (H)
• Wales (A)

Verdict: Italy remain competitive, but depth is still an issue across five rounds.

Six Nations 2026 – Final Prediction

The fixture list points towards a title race that will likely be settled on Super Saturday in Paris.

Predicted Final Table

1. France
2. England
3. Ireland
4. Scotland
5. Italy
6. Wales

France’s depth, home advantage, and late-game power give them the edge. England remain the biggest threat, while Ireland are capable of spoiling the party if they start fast.