France will host Wales in the 2025 Six Nations opener, while Ireland kick off their campaign against England, organisers unveiled on Saturday.

The Six Nations will begin on 31 January with France facing Wales at the Stade de France in Paris.

Ireland welcome England to Dublin on 1 February, with Scotland taking on Italy at Murrayfield the same day to complete the first round of matches.

It is a tough start for Steve Borthwick’s England, with Ireland – who are firm favourites to win the ongoing 2024 tournament – currently on a run of just two defeats from their last 41 home games.

England then host France, Scotland and Italy before meeting Wales in Cardiff on the competition’s final day.

Ireland’s run of fixtures sees them travel to Scotland and Wales after the England match, then France visit Dublin before a finale against Italy in Rome.

2025 Six Nations fixtures:

31 January, France v Wales
1 February, Scotland v Italy, Ireland v England
8 February, Italy v Wales, England v France
9 February, Scotland v Ireland
22 February, Wales v Ireland, England v Scotland
23 February, Italy v France
8 March, Ireland v France, Scotland v Wales
9 March, England v Italy
15 March, Italy v Ireland, Wales v England, France v Scotland

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images

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Src: sarugbymag.co.za