Toulouse’s New Zealand-born giant Emmanuel Meafou moved one step closer to his France debut after being included in Fabien Galthié’s Six Nations squad as one of six uncapped players.
Meafou, who qualified for Les Bleus after serving as an assistant at last year’s World Cup, has made a name for himself as one of Europe’s toughest scoring forwards since his arrival in Toulouse in 2019. Last year, Galthié tried to fast-track the 25-year-old’s eligibility to become a World Cup lock but the bid failed.
In the absence of Dupont, who will miss the entire Six Nations to focus on a potential sevens appearance at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France will be captained by La Rochelle skipper Grégory Alldritt. The No.8 took a sabbatical following France’s disappointing World Cup quarter-final exit, but Alldritt has starred for his club since returning in January. Charles Ollivon, who captained Les Bleus at the start of Galthié’s tenure, would be a candidate for the captaincy alongside Alldritt.
There are initial call-ups for Racing 92 fly-half Antoine Gibert, Toulon winger Esteban Abadie and key team-mate Matthias Halagahu, Bordeaux-Begles center Nicolas Depoortere; while uncapped Nolann Le Garrec competes with Maxime Lucu for the starting place at scrum half. Instead of Dupont.
Fly-hal Romain Ntamack, lock Thibaud Flament and hooker Pierre Bourgarit are missing due to injuries.
England manager Steve Borthwick has named his 36-man squad, while Ireland manager Andy Farrell will do the same later today.
When is the 2024 Six Nations?
The 2024 Six Nations will kick off at 8pm UK time on 2 February 2024, with France hosting champions Ireland.
Both teams last played at the Stade de France in October for the World Cup quarter-finals and were eliminated from the tournament on successive nights.
Ireland’s traveling supporters were among the loudest at the global spectacle, with fans and players alike belting out The Cranberries’ lyrics. Zombie after every win. We expect more of the same in the Six Nations.
England will start their tournament against Italy on 3 February 2024 at 14.15 (UK time). Borthwick’s side will be hoping to improve on their previous performance in the Six Nations after finishing fourth in the standings with 10 points, 17 points behind their rivals. winners, Ireland.
How to watch the 2024 Six Nations on TV?
This year’s fixtures will continue to be shown in the UK on both the BBC and ITV. Live broadcasts will be available for free on the BBC iPlayer and ITVX apps and can be downloaded to mobile or tablet devices.
The Six Nations’ long-term future on free-to-air TV is uncertain after the government rejected calls to add the tournament to the list of sporting events that must be shown free-to-air.
Who are the referees?
Karl Dickson will referee the opening Six Nations next year, which will pit 2023 Grand Slam champions Ireland against 2022 champions France.
Eight assistant referees, including Scotland’s Hollie Davidson, will make their Six Nations debuts.
Read the full list of referee appointments here.
How can I buy tickets to matches?
You should consult each country’s own association website for information on match tickets. Availability will vary greatly depending on the fixture you are hoping to purchase tickets for.
Latest Six Nations 2024 news
Wales coach Warren Gatland has named Dafydd Jenkins as his 2024 Six Nations captain.
Jenkins, 21, has made just 12 caps and will become the second-youngest man to captain his country in the absence of Jac Morgan and the injured Dewi Lake.
Gatland has included five unrestricted players in his squad, six of whom are yet to appear in the Six Nations. Lewis Rees-Zammit is not on the roster following his decision to join the NFL.
Gregor Townsend also included the Scotland squad in the Six Nations, while England under-18 and under-20 winger Arron Reed was also included in the 39-man squad. Townsend has not named his captain yet
The defending Six Nations champions have suffered a major injury blow with Mack Hansen ruled out of the championship. Hansen will undergo surgery on a dislocated shoulder during Connacht’s United Rugby Championship match against Munster.
The headline news of Italy’s squad announcement was the selection of South African-born backrower Ross Vintcent.
All 2024 Six Nations fixtures
All times GMT
first round
Friday, February 2: France v Ireland,
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To start: 20:00
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Place: Oranage Velodrome, Marseille
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Judge: Karl Dickinson (ENG)
Saturday, February 3: Italy – England
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To start : 14.15
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Place: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
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Judge: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Saturday, February 3: Wales v Scotland
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To start: 16.45
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Place: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
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Judge: Ben O’Keefe (New Zealand)
second part
Saturday, February 10: Scotland v France
Saturday, February 10: England v Wales
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To start: 16.45
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Place: Twickenham Stadium, London
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Judge: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Sunday, February 11: Ireland v Italy
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To start: 3 p.m.
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Place: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
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Judge: Pierre Brousset (France)
third round
Saturday, February 24: Ireland v Wales
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To start: 14.15
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Place: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
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Judge: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
Saturday, February 24: Scotland v England
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To start: 16.45
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Place: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
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Judge: Andrew Brace (Ire)
Sunday, February 25: France v Italy
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To start: 3 p.m.
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Place: Decathlon Arena, Lille
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Judge: Christophe Ridley (ENG)
fourth round
Saturday, March 9: Italy v Scotland
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To start: 14.15
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Place: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
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Judge: Jaco Peyper (SA)
Saturday, March 9: England v Ireland
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To start: 16.45
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Place: Twickenham Stadium, Cardiff
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Judge: Nika Amashukeli (Geography)
Sunday, March 10: Wales v France
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To start: 3 p.m.
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Place: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
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Judge: Luke Pearce (ENG)
fifth round
Saturday, March 16: Wales – Italy,
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To start: 14.15
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Place: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
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Judge: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Saturday, March 16: Ireland v Scotland
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To start: 16.45
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Place: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
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Judge: Matthew Carley (ENG)
Saturday, March 16: France v England
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To start: 8pm
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Place: Groupama Stadium, Lyon
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Judge: Angus Gardner (Australia)
What are the Six Nations squads?
Who is in the England squad?
Who is in the Wales squad?
Who is in the Scotland squad?
Who is in the France squad?
Who is in the Italy squad?
Who are the favorites to win the 2024 Six Nations?
While Ireland and France are the favorites of the betting companies, England is a little behind. Scotland, Wales and Italy are not preferred.
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France to win: 5/4
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Ireland to win: 13/8
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England to win: 11/2
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Scotland to win: 12/1
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Wales to win: 18/1
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Italy to win: 250/1
Odds correct as of January 16, 2023