Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Six Nations 2019: When is it, fixtures, kick-off times, TV details, when are the squads announced, odds

Everything you need to know about the 2019 Six Nations

Jack de Menezes

Friday 01 February 2019 13:17 GMT

✕

Eddie Jones selects his England Six Nations squad

The 2019 Six Nations begins next month to signal the route to the Rugby World Cup, with Ireland bidding to become the first team to win back-to-back Grand Slams in the current era and both England and Wales looking to send out statements of intent ahead of their World Cup assaults.

Ireland will be the team to beat after their incredible 2018, with Joe Schmidt’s side running away with the Six Nations title last year as well as beating the All Blacks in the autumn – not to mention boasting the World Rugby Player of the Year in Johnny Sexton.

However, with England and Wales not far off them with the bookmakers, this year’s instalment promises to be as competitive as ever – particularly given that Ireland and Wales do not meet until the final weekend of the tournament while England face the daunting task of going to Dublin on the opening weekend and Cardiff in week three.

France and Scotland cannot be discounted either, with both sides holding the potential to beat any team if they hit their stride on their day, while Italy Rugby will be looking to get back to winning ways after last season’s winless campaign.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2019 Six Nations.

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Show all 15

1/15Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Cian Healy (Ireland)

Rolled back the years to his very best form and the sight of him leaving the field against New Zealand completely exhausted demonstrated just how much he gave to Ireland’s caused. Has ended any doubts over who the best current loosehead in Ireland is once and for all.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Ken Owens (Wales)

The most consistent hooker throughout the autumn, both in performance and in selection. Strong showings against Australia and South Africa that both resulted in victories saw him clinch the shirt with relative ease.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Kyle Sinckler (England)

Looks to be on the way to fulfilling his potential after a standout autumn, with the man-of-the-match performance against Australia being one of the best showings from an English tighthead we’ve ever seen. Could well become a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Maro Itoje (England)

The consistent figure in England’s second row that was hit by injury after injury. Overcame a difficult start against the Springboks to star in the near-miss against New Zealand and the comeback victory over Japan. Is growing into a real leader of the pack as he took control of the lineout against Australia with huge success.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

The best player in the world right now and it was his domination of the English lineout that helped secure the comeback victory at Twickenham. Unlucky to be on the losing side against Ireland but overall it was a strong series from the towering lock.

REUTERS

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)

Phenomenal performance against the All Blacks saw him hobble off the pitch to a standing ovation. A crucial figure in the lineout against Argentina too and he is developing into a new talisman for the Irish.

AP

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Ellis Jenkins (Wales)

Two brilliant showings against Tonga and South Africa on either side of the back-row. His performance against the Springboks was phenomenal, with a line-break to set up Tomas Francis for a try and a try-saving tackle on Jesse Kriel, and we can only hope he makes a full recovery from the nasty knee injury he suffered at the end of the match.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Mark Wilson (England)

Came into the autumn as an unknown quantity and leaves having put himself firmly in the frame for England’s World Cup squad. Man of the match against South Africa in only his second start and provided some much-needed ball carrying against Australia that apparently England were lacking.

EPA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)

May be off the radar playing in France but he is back to his best as Scotland’s first-choice No 9. Has looked lively all autumn and as reliable as ever kicking for goal to lift that responsibility off half-back partner Finn Russell.

PA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Owen Farrell (England)

Say what you want about his controversial tackling technique that for some reason is going unpunished, but he offers so many match-defining moments that he has to feature in the side. Unsurpring mention for Johnny Sexton too, but his lack of game time compared to Farrell’s three-and-a-half outings sees Farrell take the shirt.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Jacob Stockdale (Ireland)

Part of a well-drilled team move to secure victory against New Zealand but his individual contribution cannot be ignored as he executed a perfect chip-and-chase to win the match for the Irish and inject them with a huge show of momentum ahead of the World Cup.

REUTERS

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Bundee Aki (Ireland)

The standout performer in an autumn that was difficult for a lot of inside centres. Ben Te’o and Hadleigh Parkes were also in the running and Damien De Allende was perhaps the most consistent, but Aki takes the spot with strong performances against the All Blacks and Italy.

PA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Garry Ringrose (Ireland)

He is developing into a wonder player at international level, and is able to form strong partnerships with whoever is inside him as we saw when Robbie Henshaw was ruled out at late notice to see Aki come in inside him. Somewhat strangely the only player retained in the side to face the USA, but delivered with a virtuoso performance in playing a key role in Andrew Conway’s hat-trick.

AP

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

George North (Wales)

Looked like the wing of old at the start of the autumn and looks to be reaping the rewards of his move back to Wales and the National Dual Contract that came with it. Fully fit and firing at his best, it has been a joy to watch North get back into his stride this autumn.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Israel Folau (Australia)

The superstar playing in one of the most average Australia teams we’ve ever seen. The finish for his first try against England was the sign of a special player that few others could replicate, while he was also mighty under the high ball throughout the autumn.

Getty Images

Fixtures and television details

Week one

Friday 1 February: France vs Wales – 8pm (BBC/S4C/TV3)

Saturday 2 February: Scotland vs Italy – 2:15pm (BBC/TV3)

Saturday 2 February: Ireland vs England – 4:45pm (ITV/TV3)

Week two

Saturday 9 February: Scotland vs Ireland – 2:15pm (BBC/TV3)

Saturday 9 February: Italy vs Wales – 4.45pm (ITV/S4C/TV3)

Sunday 10 February: England vs France – 3pm (ITV/TV3)

Ireland are looking to be the first to win consecutive Grand Slams since the 2000 expansion (Getty)

Week three

Saturday 23 February: France vs Scotland – 2:15pm (BBC/TV)

Saturday 23 February: Wales vs England – 4:45pm (BBCS4C/TV3)

Sunday 24 February: Italy vs Ireland – 3pm (ITV/TV3)

Week four

Saturday 9 March: Scotland vs Wales – 2:15pm (BBC/SC4/TV3)

Saturday 9 March: England vs Italy – 4:45pm (ITV/TV3)

Sunday 10 March: Ireland vs France – 3pm (ITV/TV3)

England are looking to regain the Six Nations title (AFP/Getty)

Week five

Saturday 16 March: Italy vs France – 12:30pm (ITV/TV3)

Saturday 16 March: Wales vs Ireland – 2:45pm (BBC/S4C/TV3)

Saturday 16 March: England vs Scotland – 5pm (ITV/TV3)

Every match will also be covered live by The Independent.

When are the squads unveiled?

All six teams have announced their squads for the opening games across the weekend of 1-3 February.

View England's squad here.

View France's squad here.

View Ireland's squad here.

View Italy's squad here.

View Scotland's squad here.

View Wales' squad here.

England announce their squad on Thursday (Getty)

Odds

Ireland – 5/6

England – 3/1

Wales – 9/2

Scotland – 10/1

France – 16/1

Italy – 500/1

Odds provided by Betfair

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies