AN historic tournament that keeps on giving, the Six Nations breaks unprecedented ground this weekend when, for the first time in a competition stretching back to 1883, the opening three games of the campaign will be played on successive weekends. Given the increasingly physical nature of the modern game, this is yet another factor that plays into the hands of the countries boasting the deepest squads.

Source: Irish Examiner February 18, 2026 15:10 UTC