Six Nations

Photo: BackpagePix Ireland's Johnny Sexton (left) and head coach Andy Farrell during the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter final match at Stade de France, Saint-Denis. Picture date: Saturday October 14, 2023.

Ireland’s ‘massive’ Sexton conundrum

Ireland’s hopes of successfully defending their Six Nations title hinge on filling the “massive gap” left by Johnny Sexton, says former Irish fullback Hugo MacNeill.

Six Nations: Ireland target title defence

Ireland will start their bid for a historic back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slam when they take on France in Marseille in the tournament’s mouth-watering opening match on Friday.

Photo: BackpagePix Wales' Dafydd Jenkins applauds supporters following the Rugby World Cup 2023, Pool C match at the OL Stadium in Lyon, France. Picture date: Sunday September 24, 2023.

New Wales skipper: I thought it was a prank

Dafydd Jenkins said he was left in a state of shock after being told by Warren Gatland he would become the youngest Wales captain in more than 50 years.

Triple blow for England

England’s preparations for their Six Nations opener away to Italy suffered a setback with the withdrawal of three players from the squad because of injury.

DOMONT, FRANCE - OCTOBER 17: Jacques Nienaber (Head Coach) of South Africa with Felix Jones of South Africa during the South Africa men's national rugby team training session at Stade des Fauvettes on October 17, 2023 in Domont, France.

England ‘transfixed’ by former Bok coach

Steve Borthwick says his England squad was left speechless by the magic of a member of the Springboks’ 2019 and 2023 coaching staff during preparations for the Six Nations.

Farrell to grow, not ‘cut the legs’ off Ireland

Andy Farrell says he isn’t a believer in the four-year World Cup cycle and a radical overhaul of the Ireland squad would be damaging to their Six Nations title defence.

France star limps out of Six Nations contention

France’s hopes of reclaiming the Six Nations took another hammer blow following a long-term injury to a key member of the pack.

‘Born leader’ O’Mahony gets Ireland armband

Peter O’Mahony will captain Ireland in their defence of the Six Nations with head coach Andy Farrell saying on Wednesday that the veteran loose forward is a “born leader”.

George succeeds Farrell as England captain

Jamie George will take over from Owen Farrell and captain England in the Six Nations, the RFU announced on Wednesday.

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 15: Gregory Aldritt of France in action during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Quarter Final match between France and South Africa at Stade de France on October 15, 2023 in Paris, France.(Photo by Christian Liewig - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Aldritt captains Dupont-less France

Gregory Alldritt will captain France in the Six Nations with regular skipper Antoine Dupont away on Olympic sevens duty, as the squad was announced on Wednesday.