Ireland are looking to three-peat the Six Nations Championship (Image: Getty)
Defending champions are looking to become the first-ever team to lift three titles in a row.
Ireland cruised to victory last year, losing just one of their five matches, with Ireland again the favourites for glory this time around.
They’ll face stern competition from a France side that knocked Ireland out of the World Cup two years ago, which is just as well, considering former Grand Slam winners and Wales have struggled in recent months.
But ahead of the 2025 Championship, there have been a few tweaks to the laws. Here’s everything you need to know.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
20-minute red cards introduced after trial
The biggest law change ahead of this year’s Championship is the .
For players who are sent off because of technical offences, those teams will be able to send on a replacement after 20 minutes.
It comes after several high-profile matches in recent months had been impacted by early red cards, with the 20-minute tweak having been trialled at the Autumn Nations Cup and Under-20s Championships.
Referees will still be able to dish out permanent red cards for “deliberate and dangerous acts of foul play”, with the move an attempt to increase the spectacle for fans.
Six Nations chief Julie Paterson explained: “Across the game, everyone is working together to ensure we are exploring new and innovative ways to make the game as safe as possible, alongside ambitions to enhance the spectacle for fans, and the experience for players.”
France take on Wales in this year’s opening match (Image: Getty)
Kicking time reduced and quicker scrums
The 20-minute red cards aren’t the only change being introduced in an attempt to speed the game up.
Kickers will only have 60 seconds to attempt their conversions after a try is scored.
Whereas scrums and line-outs must be ready to go within 30 seconds.
Change to throws in rucks
And finally, a change to the way throws can be contested during rucks is being brought in as well.
In a bid to help protect scrum halves at the bottom of rucks, throws that aren’t straight when the line-out is uncontested will be permitted under the latest law tweak.
Six Nations schedule:
Round 1
Jan. 31 – France vs Wales
Feb. 1 – Scotland vs Italy
Feb. 1 – Ireland vs England
Round 2
Feb. 8 – Italy vs Wales
Feb. 8 – England vs France
Feb. 9 – Scotland vs Ireland
Round 3
Feb. 22 – Wales vs Ireland
Feb. 22 – England vs Scotland
Feb. 23 – Italy vs France
Round 4
March 8 – Ireland vs France
March 8 – Scotland vs Wales
March 9 – England vs Italy
Round 5
March 15 – Italy vs Ireland
March 15 – Wales vs England
March 15 – France vs Scotland