That's right fedizens, it is time. At 2010 UTC France host Ireland to kick off the 2026 Men's Six Nations. And what a match we could have ahead. Thursday night so that Italy's winter Olympics opening ceremony has air space, and the French love a late kick off (having been at the final game last year, I know how much fun it is too!)
Looking at the game itself and we see Dupont back, alongside a championship winning side, with France being current holders. And Ireland naming a younger challenger team, who have something to prove already if the pundits and bookies are correct. Expect a low scoring affair with the rain having beaten Paris all day, and not abaiting for the match. France's size and experience to mean this does rightly favour the French. But discount Ireland at your peril, this is very much a potential banana skin that could set the tournament tone tonight.
Further ahead we see a tournament with just 1 rest week, so we are back-to-back-to-back here for the first time ever. Good, just how I like it!
As always, predictions, reactions, analysis, and shitposts all welcome here in !rugby
And sign up for the kicktipp, come on, it'll be a laugh! And lineups from https://www.rugbykickoff.com/game/france_ireland_2026-02-05/
Thanks, fixed. Got a prediction for tonight? Hard to see past France, and by 10 for me
The rain has me thinking Ireland by 3 or less. When the ball is wet, I feel like it doesn't affect the ability to catch soft short-range passes (Ireland's offense) nearly as much as the ability to catch offloads while you're charging full speed vertically (France's offense)