Six Nations 2025 — Quick Guide: Teams, Format, Fixtures and Tips

Want a simple, useful guide to Six Nations 2025? You’re in the right place. The tournament runs across February and March 2025, with six teams — England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales — playing five matches each in a round-robin format. Every game matters, and the points system rewards wins, attacking rugby and consistency.

How do teams win the championship? Win matches and collect points: four for a win, two for a draw. There are bonus points for scoring four or more tries and for losing by seven points or fewer. If a team wins all five matches — the Grand Slam — they get three extra points to keep things fair in the table.

Key Fixtures & format you should know

Each team plays home and away fixtures so every match is different. Expect the usual big clash weekends: England vs France, Ireland vs Wales, and Scotland vs England. Weather plays a role too — wet February pitches can favour big packs and tactical kicking, while March winds can make finishing tries harder. Keep an eye on team sheets the day before kick-off; last-minute injury changes are common and they shift betting odds and fantasy picks fast.

Want to follow the table? Points difference is the first tiebreaker, then tries scored. That makes every try important even late in a match. Coaches know this and you’ll often see teams push for that extra score rather than settle for penalties.

Players to watch, tickets and how to watch

Look for world-class playmakers and dominant forwards. France usually brings flair from the backs; England and Ireland mix set-piece power with creative kicking. Keep tabs on form and injury updates before each round — a single injury to a key fly-half or hooker can change outcomes across the weekend.

Buying tickets? Use official union sites (RFU, FFR, IRFU, SRU, WRU, FIR) or verified resale platforms. Arrive early, check local transport and carry a print or official e-ticket. Stadium food and queues can be long on big days, so plan for that.

Want to watch from home? Broadcasters vary by country. In the UK it's usually on public broadcasters and pay partners; across Africa many games are carried by regional sports channels. If you travel, check the Six Nations official site or your national union for streaming partners and blackout rules. For mobile viewing, use official apps from broadcasters to avoid unreliable streams.

Small tips that help: follow team social feeds for live injury news, pick fantasy players who are nailed on starters, and don’t overreact to one bad game — form swings quickly in this compact tournament. Who lifts the trophy will come down to squad depth, discipline and who performs on the big weekends. Ready for the first round? Keep this page bookmarked and check back for match updates and quick recaps after each weekend.