Everything you need to know about the Six Nations Championship

Calling all rugby union fans, this year's Six Nations Championship is about to kick off!

While the women's competition will take place in April and May, the men's competition gets underway in February and it's set to be an exciting tournament.

France were crowned last year's winners, thanks to a bonus-point win in the final match of the Championship.

However, with each squad hoping to prove themselves as the best nation in the competition, it could be a close contest.

So, what else can we expect over the next few weeks? Here's everything you need to know about this year's tournament.

Will you be watching the Six Nations? Who do you think will win? Let us know in the comments below!

The Six Nations is one of the oldest tournaments in rugby, having been played in one form or another for more than 140 years.

It's the biggest rugby tournament in the northern hemisphere and takes place every year between the top rugby union-playing countries in Europe.

What was initially a men's international tournament - featuring England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales - now includes France and Italy.

The Ireland rugby union team is made up of players from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, unlike in football, where separate teams represent both countries.

The women's Six Nations competition is held separately and has been taking place since 1996.

France will be hoping to retain their Six Nations title won in 2025, thanks to a bonus-point win over Scotland in the final match of the Championship.

But there are plenty of teams hoping to snatch the trophy away from Les Bleus.

England, who last won the tournament in 2020, are expected to be tough competition.

They finished second last year and are currently on an 11-match winning run.

Ireland are also predicted to do well - they picked up the Triple Crown in 2025 after beating England, Scotland and Wales in the tournament.

They also won the tournament in 2023 and 2024.

This year's men's Six Nations takes place between Thursday 5 February and Saturday 14 March.

Defending champions France host Ireland in the opening match of this year's tournament at the Stade de France in Paris, which kicks off at 8.10pm.

On Saturday 7 February, Scotland take on Italy at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, at 2.10pm.

Later that afternoon, Wales face England at 4.40pm at London's Twickenham Stadium.

If a team wins all five of its matches, it is called a Grand Slam, but to win a Grand Slam is very hard.

Most recently, Ireland and France won the Six Nations by completing the Grand Slam in 2023 and 2022 respectively.

The Triple Crown is a special prize that only the four home unions - England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland - are able to win.

A team can only secure the Triple Crown if they beat all three of the other home sides.

Although it gives a team a great chance of overall success - winning the Triple Crown doesn't always mean you win the Six Nations.

Last year, Ireland beat England, Wales and Scotland but didn't win the Six Nations tournament overall.