Six Nations set for huge shake-up with major format change from 2026
Yesterday at 02:28 AM
he release of the 2026 Six Nations Championship fixtures has been delayed as behind-the-scenes discussions over a new broadcast deal continue.
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
The current partnership with the BBC and ITV is set to expire this year, leaving rugby fans eagerly waiting to see who will pick up the reins.
Broadcast Battle in Full Swing
Negotiations are still ongoing as the Six Nations weigh up the pros and cons of sticking with free-to-air giants like the BBC and ITV or chasing higher revenues from other broadcasters. Sources close to the talks have hinted that everything is on the table.
One major shift being floated is a revamped schedule featuring more evening kick-offs, designed to suit broadcaster preferences and potentially pull in larger audiences. Another spicy possibility? A “Super Saturday” happening every weekend of the men's Championship – a dream for fans but a logistical mountain to climb.
Fitting the Championship into Six Weeks
From 2026, the tournament will be compressed into a tighter six-week window, down from the traditional seven weeks. That means one rest week instead of two, with three games in a row to kick things off, a breather in the middle, and back-to-back weekends to crown the champions at the start of March.
“Player Welfare Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought”
Not everyone is sold on the shake-up. Player welfare advocates have raised concerns that losing the extra rest week could lead to a higher risk of injuries.
“Condensing the schedule might work for TV audiences, but what about the players? This decision feels rushed and risks compromising their health,” an anonymous expert shared.
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Eight Players Who Flopped in the Six Nations This Weekend
The second round of the 2025 Six Nations saw Italy defeat Wales 22-15 in Rome, England edge France 26-25 at Twickenham, and Ireland secure a dominant 32-18 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.
Despite the thrilling action, several players underperformed. Here's a summary of the eight who struggled, with quotes from the key publications.
1. Finn Russell (Scotland)
- Rugby Pass 4.5/10: “Lost a couple of high hanging kicks… Forced off after 21 minutes following a head collision.”
- RUCK 5/10: “Couldn’t get his nation ticking in the early stages.”
- The Scotsman: “Limited impact on the game early on as Ireland took control.”
Verdict: Russell was underwhelming, leaving Scotland on the back foot from the start.
2. Jonny Gray (Scotland)
- Rugby Pass 5/10: “Struggled to make an impact and was replaced early in the second half.”
- Planet Rugby 5/10: “A few good moments in the set-piece, but nothing substantial.”
Verdict: Gray was largely ineffective and couldn't contribute to Scotland's fightback.
3. Antoine Dupont (France)
- Rugby Pass 5/10: “Had a few sloppy passes and missed a try-scoring chance.”
- Mail Online 6/10: “Far from his best but still involved in setting up tries.”
Verdict: Dupont's usual brilliance was lacking, and he struggled with errors that disrupted France's rhythm.
4. Josh Adams (Wales)
- RUCK 3/10: “Butchered two try-scoring opportunities and got a yellow card.”
- Planet Rugby 4/10: “Missed two huge chances, lucky to escape a red card.”
- Wales Online 4/10: “Butchered two easy try-scoring chances and received a yellow card.”
Verdict: Adams' poor decision-making and missed opportunities overshadowed his performance.
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