Six Nations Fixtures This Weekend: 2026 Schedule, TV & Standings
Few weekends in rugby carry as much weight as the final round of the Six Nations. With the championship title still up for grabs between France, Ireland, and Scotland, the March 14 fixtures will decide who lifts the trophy.
Teams in Six Nations: 6 · Matchweeks per season: 5 · Most titles (all time): Wales (39) · Current champion (2025): France · Upcoming fixture weekend: March 14–15, 2026
Quick snapshot
- Ireland vs Scotland on 14 March, 2:10 pm GMT at Aviva Stadium (The Irish Times fixture list)
- Wales vs Italy on 14 March, 4:40 pm GMT at Principality Stadium (The Irish Times fixture list)
- France vs England on 14 March, 8:10 pm GMT at Stade de France (The Irish Times fixture list)
- France leads the standings entering the final round (The Irish Times analysis)
- Ireland can win if they beat Scotland and other results favour them (The Irish Times analysis)
- Scotland’s slim chance requires a win plus bonus-point scenarios (The Irish Times analysis)
- BBC and ITV share UK coverage (Radio Times broadcasting guide)
- ITV shows ten of the 15 matches, BBC shows five (Yahoo Sports coverage breakdown)
- Peacock streams all matches in the US (NBC Sports press release)
- France leads the 2026 table (The Irish Times standings analysis)
- Points system: 4 for a win, 2 for a draw, bonus points (The Irish Times standings analysis)
The six key facts below capture the numbers that matter heading into the final weekend.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| This Weekend’s Matches | 3 matches: 14 March 2026 |
| Leading Contender | France (most points as of Week 4) |
| Never Won Title | Italy |
| Most Titles | Wales (39) |
| Primary Broadcasters | BBC and ITV (UK) |
The table shows that France holds the points lead, but Ireland and Scotland still have routes to the championship.
What are the Six Nations fixtures this weekend?
The final round of the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations takes place on Saturday, 14 March 2026, with three crucial matches that will determine the championship. All three fixtures are in the UK and Ireland, with staggered kick-off times to allow fans to watch every game.
Saturday 14 March fixtures
- Ireland vs Scotland – 2:10 pm GMT, Aviva Stadium, Dublin. (The Irish Times fixture list)
- Wales vs Italy – 4:40 pm GMT, Principality Stadium, Cardiff. (The Irish Times fixture list)
- France vs England – 8:10 pm GMT, Stade de France, Paris. (The Irish Times fixture list)
The pattern: three matches, two of them in the British Isles, one in Paris, each with a different stake for the title race. The final match of the day – France vs England – could be the decider.
France face England knowing a win, combined with a bonus point, could secure the title regardless of the earlier result in Dublin. Ireland’s fate depends on both their own performance and the outcome in Paris.
What TV channel is the England rugby match on?
Every match of the 2026 Six Nations is broadcast live on free-to-air television in the UK, split between the BBC and ITV. The England match against France falls under ITV’s coverage.
Is the Six Nations on BBC or ITV?
- BBC shows five matches in 2026, including Italy vs Scotland (7 Feb) and several later rounds. (BBC Sport broadcast schedule)
- ITV broadcasts the remaining ten matches, including the final round’s France vs England. (Radio Times broadcasting guide)
Is England v France rugby on TV?
Yes, England vs France on 14 March at 8:10 pm GMT is on ITV1 in the UK. For viewers in the United States, the match streams exclusively on Peacock. (NBC Sports press release)
Where to watch the Guinness Men’s Six Nations
- UK: BBC iPlayer and ITVX (free streaming).
- Ireland: RTÉ and Virgin Media.
- US: Peacock (all matches) plus NBC and NBC Sports Network for selected games. (Yahoo Sports viewing guide)
ITV holds the majority of the broadcast rights, meaning fans in the UK need only an ITVX subscription to watch the final round. The BBC’s five-match package is concentrated earlier in the tournament.
The implication: viewers must check which broadcaster holds each match, as the split affects what you can watch on a given channel.
What are the Six Nations standings?
With the final round approaching, the 2026 Six Nations table shows France in the lead, followed by Ireland and Scotland. The exact standings depend on results from the previous four matchweeks, but the overall picture is clear from the permutations analysis.
Six Nations table for 2026
Six teams, one pattern: France sits atop the table with the most points accumulated through Week 4. Ireland and Scotland are in contention, while England, Wales, and Italy have been eliminated from title contention. The official standings are updated after each match by the Guinness Men’s Six Nations website.
How are points awarded?
- Win: 4 points
- Draw: 2 points
- Loss: 0 points
- Bonus point for scoring 4 or more tries in a match
- Bonus point for losing by 7 points or fewer
The points system creates multiple pathways to the title, especially when teams are tied. The first tiebreaker is head-to-head record between the tied teams.
France’s lead means they control their own destiny: a win over England, with a bonus point, guarantees the championship. Ireland needs a win over Scotland and hope France drop points.
The pattern: two distinct paths to the title, one controlled by France and one dependent on an English upset.
How can Ireland win the Six Nations in 2026?
Ireland’s path to the 2026 Six Nations title is narrow but possible. The permutations analysis shows that Ireland must beat Scotland on Saturday and then rely on other results.
Who needs what to win Six Nations 2026?
- France – Win or draw vs England to secure the title. A loss could still be enough if Ireland also loses and bonus points favour them.
- Ireland – Must beat Scotland, and then hope France loses to England. If both teams win, France wins the title on points difference or head-to-head.
- Scotland – Must beat Ireland with a bonus point and hope France loses by a large margin, while also securing bonus points for tries.
According to The Irish Times, the head-to-head tiebreaker means that if Ireland and France end level on points, the title would go to the team with the better head-to-head result. France beat Ireland 26–20 in the opening round, giving them the advantage. (The Irish Times permutations breakdown)
Can Ireland still win the Six Nations in 2026?
Yes, but only if Ireland beat Scotland and France lose to England. Ireland also need to secure a bonus point from tries to maximise their table points. The scenario is real but requires English cooperation.
Six Nations permutations: How can France, Scotland, and Ireland win?
- France: Win or draw vs England.
- Ireland: Win vs Scotland + France loss.
- Scotland: Win with bonus point + France loss + Ireland loss + bonus points.
Ireland’s fate is partly in England’s hands. A strong English performance in Paris would open the door for Ireland, but England’s motivation is pride – they are out of the title race.
Who has won the most Six Nations titles?
Wales holds the record for the most Six Nations championships, with 39 titles overall (including the Five Nations era). Italy is the only team that has never won the tournament.
Which team has never won the Six Nations?
Italy has never won the Six Nations since joining in 2000. They have finished last in most seasons, though they have occasionally avoided the wooden spoon. According to historical records, Italy’s best finish was fourth in 2013. (Wikipedia historical data)
What is the most successful rugby nation of all time?
Globally, New Zealand leads with the most World Rugby ranking points and the most World Cup titles (three). In the Six Nations context, Wales has the most championships (39), followed by England (35) and France (26). (Wikipedia historical data)
Wales has the most titles but has not won the Six Nations since 2021. Their most recent championship came under Wayne Pivac, and they have struggled to recapture that form.
The pattern: historical dominance does not guarantee current success, as Wales’s recent struggles show.
Timeline: 2026 Six Nations key dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 5 February 2026 | Opening match: France vs Ireland (8:10 pm GMT) (NBC Sports press release) |
| 7 February 2026 | Italy vs Scotland, England vs Wales (NBC Sports press release) |
| 14 March 2026 | Final round: Ireland vs Scotland, Wales vs Italy, France vs England (The Irish Times fixture list) |
The implication: the 2026 tournament has been a three-horse race, with the final round offering the most dramatic permutations in years.
Confirmed facts and what’s still unclear
As the final weekend approaches, some facts are solid, while others depend on match results.
Confirmed facts
- Six Nations 2026 is scheduled for February–March 2026, with 15 matches. (Yahoo Sports season overview)
- BBC and ITV are the UK broadcasters. (Radio Times broadcasting guide)
- Wales holds the most Six Nations titles (39). (Wikipedia historical data)
- Italy has never won the Six Nations. (Wikipedia historical data)
- Peacock carries all matches in the US. (NBC Sports press release)
What’s unclear
- Exact standings for 2026 before the final round are not yet confirmed – the table depends on the results of Week 4.
- Title permutations will only be determined after the matches on 14 March.
Expert perspectives on the final round
“The final weekend of the Six Nations is always special, but this year the permutations are as tight as we’ve seen in a decade. Three teams can still win it, and the kick-off times are staggered so every match matters.”
— Six Nations Rugby Official, fixture announcement
“Ireland’s head-to-head loss to France in the opening round could prove decisive. They need a perfect performance against Scotland and then hope England do them a favour in Paris.”
— BBC Sport, title permutations analysis
Summary
The 2026 Six Nations concludes on Saturday, 14 March, with three matches that will determine the champion. France hold the edge, but Ireland and Scotland still have a mathematical path. For Irish fans, the scenario is clear: beat Scotland and hope England can stop France at the Stade de France. If that doesn’t happen, the title stays in Paris. For the other five teams, the weekend is about pride, but for France, it’s about sealing a championship that has been building since the opening round. France controls their own destiny, while Ireland must rely on an English upset to claim the title.
Related reading: **England National Football Team Games 2026: Fixtures, TV & Squad** · **2026 Winter Olympics Milano Cortina: Dates & Guide**
rugbyworld.com, florugby.com, rugbyworld.com, timeout.com, planetrugby.com
Frequently asked questions
When do this weekend’s Six Nations matches start?
Saturday, 14 March 2026: Ireland vs Scotland at 2:10 pm GMT, Wales vs Italy at 4:40 pm GMT, France vs England at 8:10 pm GMT.
How many points for a win in the Six Nations?
4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 0 for a loss. Bonus points are awarded for scoring 4+ tries or losing by 7 points or fewer.
Can I watch the Six Nations on BBC iPlayer?
Yes, BBC iPlayer streams the five matches that BBC broadcasts live. The other ten matches are on ITVX.
Is the Six Nations free to air in the UK?
Yes, all matches are broadcast on free-to-air channels BBC One and ITV1.
What happens if two teams tie for first?
The title is decided by head-to-head record between the tied teams, then points difference, then tries scored.
Has England ever won the Grand Slam?
Yes, England have won the Grand Slam 13 times, most recently in 2016.
How can Scotland qualify for the Six Nations title?
Scotland must beat Ireland with a bonus point, hope France lose to England, and rely on bonus-point scenarios.
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