The Rugby Six Nations Championship stands as one of the most revered and anticipated tournaments in the world of rugby. As the next of it’s season is on the way, the 2024 Six Nations Championship is poised to captivate rugby enthusiasts with its unique blend of tradition, rivalry, and sheer sporting prowess.
The tournament, featuring six rugby powerhouses – England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales – is renowned for its rich history and the fierce battles waged on the hallowed grounds of Europe. it’s in the 130th season of the competition, but the 25th since it expanded to become the Six Nations Championship in 2000.
We will discuss when it will take place, the full fixtures, how to watch the games, buy tickets, the 2023 winner and key contenders.
As we eagerly look forward to the 2024 edition, the stage is set for a thrilling spectacle that promises intense rivalries, jaw-dropping plays, and the relentless pursuit of glory.
2023 Overview
In the 2023 Guinness Six Nations tournament, Ireland emerges as the Grand Slam champions, a feat achieved after a thrilling championship. Following five rounds of intense Six Nations fixtures, the World’s No. 1 side rightfully claims the championship, marking the inaugural instance where Ireland secures a flawless victory in the capital, prevailing over a resilient 14-man England.
France attains the position of runners-up, accomplishing this status by shattering their previous record for the highest points in a championship, evident in their triumphant 41-28 victory against Wales in Paris during the final encounter. Meanwhile, Scotland secures the third-place slot, achieved through a late bonus-point try during Blair Kinghorn’s hat-trick against Italy.
England, under Steve Borthwick’s leadership, concludes their first campaign by valiantly fighting back, finishing fourth after overcoming the challenges posed by Les Bleus. Despite a difficult start, England concludes the game against Ireland with only 13 players, showcasing resilience.
Wales manages to avoid the Wooden Spoon, salvaging their campaign with a crucial Round Four win away in Italy. However, Warren Gatland recognizes the significant work that lies ahead as they prepare for the impending Rugby World Cup.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, winless Italy claims the unwanted Wooden Spoon for the 18th time and eighth consecutive year. Their defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield, with a points difference of -60, underlines the substantial progress they’ve made, contributing to a markedly more competitive championship.
2024 Preview
the Six Nations Grand Slam-holders, Ireland, set their sights on retaining their crown. However, this pursuit comes with the challenge of forging ahead without the retired Johnny Sexton and Keith Earls, key contributors who bid farewell at the end of the World Cup.
They face stiff competition from France, whose dreams of home World Cup glory were dashed by eventual champions South Africa in the quarter-final, and Scotland, who were unable to overcome either Ireland or South Africa to make it out of their pool.
Following England’s third-place finish at the World Cup, the Six Nations is already on Steve Borthwick’s horizon.
England arrived in France as distant outsiders after a disappointing run of results under Borthwick, including finishing fourth in the 2023 Six Nations and losing to Fiji for the first time in the last of their warm-up matches before the tournament.
With several key players announcing their international retirement, England must rebuild their squad. there are also changes anticipated among England’s back-room staff, with defence coach Kevin Sinfield expected to depart and Springboks assistant coach Felix Jones poised to arrive.
Wales too will have a point to prove after losing out in the World Cup quarter-finals to Argentina, while Italy will hope to bounce back having failed to make it out of their pool and been blown away by finalists New Zealand.
When is the Tournament
The forthcoming tournament, commencing on February 2, 2024, features a clash between Ireland and France, a confrontation between the world’s top two sides. Notably, this fixture marks the second occurrence of a Friday night Six Nations match held outside Paris or Cardiff, owing to Stade de France’s unavailability for the 2024 Six Nations due to preparations for the Paris Olympic Games.
England kick-off their tournament against Italy on February 3, 2024. Steve Borthwick’s side will be hoping to improve on their previous showing at the Six Nations after finishing fourth in the standings with 10 points, 17 points behind the winners, Ireland.
England will then return home for their first Twickenham fixture against Wales, before having two weeks to prepare for Scotland at Murrayfield, a fixture the Scots have dominated with five wins in the last six Calcutta Cup clashes.
Nevertheless, the way the fixtures have fallen would appear to favour world No 2 France, facing England and Ireland on home soil while travelling away to Wales and Scotland, where they have fared well in recent years.
The 2024 Six Nations fixtures
Here are exciting lineup of all game matches:
(Time in GMT)
- February 2: France vs. Ireland at 8 pm
- February 3: Italy vs. England at 2.15 pm, Wales vs. Scotland at 4.45 pm
- February 10: Scotland vs. France at 2.15 pm, England vs. Wales at 4.45 pm
- February 11: Ireland vs. Italy at 3 pm
- February 24: Ireland vs. Wales at 2.15 pm, Scotland vs. England at 4.45 pm
- February 25: France vs. Italy at 3 pm
- March 9: Italy vs. Scotland at 2.15 pm, England vs. Ireland at 4.45 pm
- March 10: Wales vs. France at 3 pm
- March 16: Wales vs. Italy at 2.15 pm, Ireland vs. Scotland at 4.45 pm, France vs. England at 8 pm
How to get tickets
For those eager to secure tickets, the Six Nations website recommends signing up for mailing lists of the nations you wish to watch. Tickets can be purchased directly from a Union or through an officially designated partner, as each Union follows its specific ticketing procedures. England offers an Advantage Access Pass, providing priority access to tickets three days before general sale.
Additionally, signing up for the Official Guinness Six Nations mailing list keeps you informed about regular competitions for match tickets, Guinness Six Nations weekends, and other prizes.
However, it’s usually extremely difficult to get tickets via the official channels as demand is so high. Therefore, you can also buy rugby Six Nations tickets via trusted resellers such as seatsnet.
How to watch it on TV
As for watching the games on TV, fixtures for the 2024 Championship will be broadcasted on various channels, including BBC, ITV, ESPN, Supersports, and Premier Sports. Live streams will also be available for free on the BBC iPlayer and ITVX apps. Stay tuned for an immersive rugby experience.
