Men’s Six Nations starts midweek and is cut shorter for 2026

Winter Olympics shifts France v Ireland to ThursdayOnly one fallow week set to raise player welfare concernsNext year’s Six Nations will kick off on a Thursday night for the first time in the competition’s history, with the defending champions, France, hosting Ireland, and will take place across just six weeks after organisers removed one of fallow weeks for the championship.It is understood the unprecedented move to begin the championship on Thursday 5 February next year has been ma