France and Wales kick off the Six Nations under the Friday night lights in Paris as another thrilling edition of rugby’s greatest annual championship begins.
Warren Gatland’s side are winless since the 2023 World Cup having gone the entirety of 2024 without Test success, and face a tough opening task in a tournament that their head coach begins under pressure. A callow squad has been bolstered somewhat by some veteran returnees but doubts remain if they have the pieces in place to challenge a French side targeting the title.
The hosts welcome back captain Antoine Dupont after his absence was keenly felt last year as he chased, and eventually achieved, sevens gold at Paris 2024. With Romain Ntamack, Gregory Alldritt, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and the rest, Fabien Galthie again boasts a potent combination as his side seek just a second tournament triumph since 2010.
Follow all of the action from the opening clash at the Stade de France in our live blog below:
France vs Wales LIVE
The Six Nations begins with France hosting Wales in Paris, with kick off at 8.15pm GMT | Live on ITV
Fabien Galthie's side are hotly-tipped to win the championship with Antoine Dupont returning
Warren Gatland's visitors went the entirety of 2024 without a win
Why this Six Nations will decide the future of French rugby
18:58 , Luke Baker
France are nailed-on contenders, right? Perhaps, but as Luke Baker explores, pressure is growing on a golden generation to add more silverware...
Why this Six Nations will decide the future of French rugby
'Proud Welshman' Adam Jones gives clear verdict on Warren Gatland ahead of Six Nations
18:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Adam Jones has backed Warren Gatland to turn Wales’s fortunes around as they head into a Six Nations campaign on the back of 12 successive Test defeats.
Former prop Jones featured in three grand slam-winning teams – two of those during Gatland’s first reign as Wales boss from 2008 to 2019 – and won 95 caps, plus five Test appearances for the British and Irish Lions.
He is now back in the Wales fold as scrum coaching consultant on secondment from Gallagher Premiership club Harlequins for the Six Nations duration and the 43-year-old’s infectious enthusiasm and passion for his job look likely to make an immediate impression after he began work at Wales’ training base.
'Proud Welshman' Adam Jones gives verdict on Warren Gatland ahead of Six Nations
France vs Wales
18:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de France
A very good evening from Paris, where it is disappointingly cold and wet, which is rather putting the dampener on the Six Nations’ return to the French capital. With Olympic preparations wiping out the Stade de France last year, Les Bleus went on a travelling roadshow, with Marseille and Lyon both lively destinations.
This feels like a homecoming, though, and there was palpable excitement on the crowded tram in. The expectation is a big France win - but opening weekends of this competition tend to throw up a surprise or two...
Defiant Warren Gatland sends warning to Wales' Six Nations rivals
18:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A defiant Warren Gatland has warned rivals not to take Wales lightly as attempts to forge a siege mentality within his squad.
Defiant Warren Gatland sends warning to Wales' Six Nations rivals
Six new faces to watch in the 2025 Six Nations
18:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
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, and with the fixtures given an extra edge in a British and Irish Lions year.
A fresh crop of new faces just taking their first steps on the international stage will be out to make their mark over the next few weeks, with places on the plane to Australia perhaps up for grabs for those eligible.
There will be plenty of excitement around France and Italy, too, as the pair continue to unearth new talent.
The Independent has picked out one new(ish) face from each nation who could be set for a breakthrough tournament:
Six new faces to watch in the 2025 Six Nations
British & Irish Lions 2025: Predicting the squad to tour Australia ahead of Six Nations
18:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
What might Andy Farrell’s squad end up looking like? We’ve had a stab at predicting the touring party:
British & Irish Lions 2025: Predicting the squad to tour Australia
What will British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell be watching during the Six Nations?
17:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The quadrennial assembly of Britain and Ireland’s best and brightest will add yet more meaning to the Six Nations as Lions selection looms large over the tournament.
While it is, ultimately, the competition prize that players will be vying for, all of those eligible will be fully aware that Andy Farrell will be watching closely as he bids to narrow down his squad ahead of the tour of Australia.
England are understood to have addressed the conversation directly as they prepare for a vital campaign, while Ireland captain Caelan Doris has admitted that it will serve as an “extra factor” as the four constituent nations navigate the championship.
With his first coaching appointments in place, Farrell can now cast his discerning eye over the opening rounds of the tournament with plenty of themes set to emerge.
What might he particularly be looking out for?
What will Lions coach Andy Farrell be watching during the Six Nations?
Six Nations predictions: Winner, top try-scorer, breakthrough star and more
17:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Two months, 15 fixtures, and plenty of twists and turns - the 2025 men’s Six Nations should be quite the ride. Predictions are often proved folly by this fickle competition but we’ve given it a go...
Six Nations predictions: Winner, top try-scorer, breakthrough star and more
The challenges standing between Ireland and Six Nations history
17:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ireland are on the hunt for an unprecedented three-peat - but a few key challenges stand in their way, as Michael Cooke explores:
The challenges standing between Ireland and Six Nations history
Six Nations stands as a rare shining light amid rugby's turmoil
17:00 , Luke Baker
Rugby continues to grapple with a great many issues, but this wonderful old championship isn’t one of them. Harry Latham-Coyle sets the scene for a tournament that appears set to thrill once again...
Six Nations stands as a rare shining light amid rugby's turmoil
France vs Wales LIVE
Thursday 30 January 2025 10:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s here! The Six Nations begins with a Friday night clash in the City of Light, Paris sure to be popping as France open their title tilt against a wounded Wales. Kick off is at 8.15pm GMT.
