The 2026 Six Nations is underway with a heavyweight opener in Paris, as Ireland travels to the Stade de France to face France in one of the toughest road tests in international rugby. 

With a hostile crowd, championship implications from the opening whistle, and no shortage of star power on either side, Round 1 begins with a matchup that already feels decisive.

France welcomes back Antoine Dupont to the international stage for the first time in nearly a year, and the talismanic scrum-half headlines a squad loaded with pace, power, and depth. From Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Theo Attissogbe out wide to a bruising forward pack, Les Bleus look every bit like a team capable of running the table in this year’s tournament. 

Across from them, Andy Farrell’s Ireland arrives with a point to prove after missing out on last year’s Six Nations title, and with some bold selection calls that have set the tone early.

Kickoff is set for 3:10 p.m. ET on Feb. 5, and everything is in place for a classic Six Nations showdown. 

Follow along here for live updates, key moments, and analysis as France and Ireland open the 2026 championship under the lights in Paris.

France Vs. Ireland Kickoff Time

The 2026 Six Nations opening match between France and Ireland kicks off at 3:10 p.m. ET at Stade de France. 

Where To Watch France Vs. Ireland Rugby

The 2026 Six Nations Championship will be broadcast on different networks all over the world. 

If you live in the USA, you can watch the games on Peacock.

UK: BBC / ITVUSA: PeacockIreland: RTÉ / Virgin MediaWales: BBC / S4CFrance: France TélévisionsItaly: Sky Sport ItaliaSouth Africa: SuperSportAustralia: Stan SportNew Zealand: Sky Sport NZFrance Rugby LineupJean-Baptiste GrosJulien MarchandDorian AldegheriCharles OllivonMickael GuillardFrancois CrosOscar JegouAnthony JelonchAntoine DupontMatthieu JalibertLouis Bielle-BiarreyYoram MoefanaNicolas DepoortereTheo AttissogbeThomas Ramos

Substitutes: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Rodrigue Neti, 18. Regis Montagne, 19. Hugo Auradou, 20. Emmanuel Meafou, 21. Lenni Nouchi, 22. Baptiste Serin, 23. Kalvin Gourgues

Ireland Rugby LineupJeremy LoughmanDan SheehanThomas ClarksonJoe McCarthyTadhg BeirneCian PrendergastJosh van der FlierCaelan DorisJamison Gibson-ParkSam PrendergastJacob StockdaleStuart McCloskeyGarry RingroseTommy O’BrienJamie Osborne

Substitutes: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Michael Milne, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. James Ryan, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Nick Timoney, 22. Craig Casey, 23. Jack Crowley

Antoine Dupont Is Back

A reminder of the effect the Le Ministre de l’Intérieur can have on a game.

Antoine Dupont 🤯

3 ans après, on ne s’est toujours pas remis de ce sauvetage défensif exceptionnel du capitaine des Bleus 💙#GreatnessM6N #Since1883 pic.twitter.com/TVTzLexGMn

— Six Nations (FR) (@SixNations_FR) February 5, 2026Match Day In Paris

Here for business. pic.twitter.com/SOQ7qoNkcs

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 5, 2026Six Nations 2026 Fixtures

Round 1

Feb. 5 – France vs. Ireland – 3:10 p.m. ETFeb. 7 – Italy vs. Scotland – 9:10 a.m. ETFeb. 7 – England vs. Wales – 11:40 a.m. ET

Round 2

Feb. 14 – Ireland vs. Italy – 9:10 a.m. ETFeb. 14 – Scotland vs. England – 11:40 a.m. ETFeb. 15 – Wales vs. France – 10:10 a.m. ET

Round 3

Feb. 21 – England vs. Ireland – 9:10 a.m. ETFeb. 21 – Wales vs. Scotland – 11:40 a.m. ETFeb. 22 – France vs. Italy – 10:10 a.m. ET

Round 4

March 6 – Ireland vs. Wales – 3:10 p.m. ETMarch 7 – Scotland vs. France – 9:10 a.m. ETMarch 7 – Italy vs. England – 11:40 a.m. ET

Round 5

March 14 – Ireland vs. Scotland – 10:10 a.m. ETMarch 14 – Wales vs. Italy – 12:40 p.m. ETMarch 14 – France vs. England – 4:10 p.m. ETWhat Countries Compete In the Six Nations?How To Watch The 2026 Rugby Europe Championship

The 2026 Rugby Europe Championship will be broadcast on FloRugby and the FloSports App in the United States.

What Channel Is Six Nations On?

The 2026 Six Nations Championship will be broadcast on different networks all over the world. 

If you live in the USA, you can watch the games on Peacock.

UK: BBC / ITVUSA: PeacockIreland: RTÉ / Virgin MediaWales: BBC / S4CFrance: France TélévisionsItaly: Sky Sport ItaliaSouth Africa: SuperSportAustralia: Stan SportNew Zealand: Sky Sport NZWatch Ireland Vs. South Africa From 2024

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

Professional club rugby in Europe all streams on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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