As soon as the eagerly anticipated autumn internationals series finishes up, the eyes of the rugby world will quickly turn to the next major event on the horizon. And for fans of the sport in the northern hemisphere, that means the Six Nations 2022 tournament. 2022 may sound like living in the future, but it’s only a matter of weeks until Europe’s biggest rugby event takes place. Here’s all you need to know about the 2022 version of the Six Nations.

What to expect

It may be a cliché, but as always with the Six Nations, you can expect the unexpected. Okay, so poor old Italy will probably finish with the wooden spoon again, but after that, there are five genuine contenders for the Six Nations crown. A grand slam will be hugely difficult for any team to achieve, as the bookmakers, such as Boylesports Ireland, attest to. In fact, a glance at the current odds places 2021 runners-up France as the current favourites, closely followed by England and Ireland with 2021 champions Wales, and then Scotland, further back.

England, you may well remember, had their worst campaign in years in finishing fifth last time round, while France, Ireland and Scotland all finished with three wins and two defeats. Champions Wales failed to bag the Grand Slam after falling to a late French try in Paris. It was a fascinating tournament.

2022 fixtures

As always, much of what is anticipated is based on the fixture list. As teams only play each other once, the match destinations become of critical importance in the Six Nations. Here’s how the teams will face off this time. All times are GMT:

Round 1

Ireland Vs Wales – Saturday 5^th February, 14:15
Scotland Vs England – Saturday 5^th February, 16:45
France Vs Italy – Sunday 6^th February, 15:00

Round 2

Wales vs Scotland – Saturday 12^th February, 14:15
France Vs Ireland – Saturday 12^th February, 16:45
Italy Vs England – Sunday 13^th February, 15:00

Round 3

Scotland Vs France – Saturday 26^th February, 14:15
England Vs Wales – Saturday 26^th February, 16:45
Ireland Vs Italy – Sunday 27^th February, 15:00

Round 4

Wales Vs France – Friday 11^th March, 20:00
Italy Vs Scotland – Saturday 12^th March, 14:15
England Vs Ireland – Saturday 12^th March, 16:45

Round 5

Wales vs Italy – Saturday 19^th March, 14:15
Ireland vs Scotland – Saturday 19^th March, 16:45
France Vs England – Saturday 19^th March, 20:00

The two current favourites, France and England, will face off in a monumental game in Paris in the final fixture. And yet it is still highly unlikely that both teams will go in to that game undefeated. France face tricky trips to Edinburgh and Cardiff in the two games proceeding it, while England start their campaign also in Edinburgh, against the Auld Enemy. Scotland claimed their first win at Twickenham for 38 years last time round.

Holders Wales face dauting trips to Dublin and London, but Wayne Pivac’s men so nearly claimed the Grand Slam last time around, and have won two of the last three tournaments, including a Grand Slam in 2019. There have only been four Grand Slams in the last ten years, but the Welsh have claimed two of them.

Players to watch

The Six Nations 2022 tournament will be bursting with talent, and there are bound to be some breakout stars, as there always are. But the likes of Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones, England’s Maro Itoje, France’s Antoin Dupont, Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong, Scotland’s Finn Russell and Italy’s Luca Bigi have now been joined by a potentially new set of superstars. The likes of Wales’ Louis Rees-and Christ Tshiunza , England duo Marcus Smith and Adam Radwan, Ireland’s Dan Sheehan and Ryan Baird and France’s Melvin Jaminet are all players already causing a stir, or are likely bolters to make a big impact in this coming Six Nations. Expectations are high, not only for these players, but for a thrillingly competitive tournament.

Ticket news

If you want to get to some live matches in the 2022 Six Nations, it’s not too late. Check out the official ticket sites for all of the Unions involved and you too could be in the thick of the atmosphere as the northern hemisphere’s showcase international rugby tournament takes place one more. It’s sure to get the pulse racing.