Latest news with champions Ireland set to name side for opener against England - Interim boss Simon Easterby faces a key call at fly half, with Scotland and Italy also set to reveal their line-ups tod

Les Bleus are in must-win territory as they begin another Six Nations campaign with big consequences for head coach Fabien Galthie in particular

Ahead of the opening round of action in the 2025 Six Nations, we run through all the teamsheets. The action gets underway as Antoine Dupont marks his return to the Championship alongside Toulouse teammate Romain Ntamack as France look to kickstart their tournament on a high note against Wales on Friday evening.

New stars emerged across the board as Ireland successfully defended their Six Nations title. More talent will be itching to follow Joe McCarthy, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tommaso Meno

As the cream of the northern-hemisphere crop prepare to lock horns, Telegraph Sport’s experts stare into their crystal balls

Rugby’s greatest championship is set to get underway as Warren Gatland and Fabien Galthie prepare to name their teams for the opener in Paris

France vs Wales is due to kick off at 8.15pm GMT on Friday 31 January at the Stade de France in Paris. Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 7.30pm GMT. A live stream will be available via ITVX.

Secondrow Scott Cummings (arm), and backrow Josh Bayliss (groin) also sustained injuries which prompted Townsend to call up a further five players Euan Ferrie, Cameron Henderson, Ewan Johnson, Alexander Masibaka and Ollie Smith to the squad in advance of their opening game against Italy.

France captain Antoine Dupont said Toulouse's thrashing of Leicester in the Champions Cup was the perfect warm-up for the Six Nations.

Hope springs eternal as the Six Nations sides renew hostilities in rugby’s grandest old championship. Another competitive edition of the tournament looks likely in 2025 with questions for each and every one of the competing sextet,

For all the talent in the national set-up, there remains a sense that Scotland have underachieved. They have failed to finish in the top two in the Six Nations, never mind win the title, and have also been eliminated at the group stage of the last two Rugby World Cups.

A capsule look at England, France, defending champion Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations, which starts on Friday