This year, the opening match of the Six Nations Tournament takes place during the week, on a Thursday to be precise. For this first meeting, the XV of France hosts Ireland, at the Stade de France, on February 5, at 9:10 p.m.
We knew the posters for Friday evening, Saturday, and even Sunday afternoon. But on a Thursday evening, it is completely unprecedented in the history of the Tournament.
However, the reason for this choice is simple: if we look at the international sports calendar, Friday February 6 is already “booked” for a major event: the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games at the San Siro stadium in Milan.
Avoiding any competition with the Milan Cortina Olympic Games
France-Ireland will therefore be broadcast on Thursday in prime time on France 2. Enough to achieve a good audience. And above all, enough to leave plenty of room for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, which will mark the start of two weeks of festivities in Italy.
This change in program will also shake up the habits of the players and staff at Marcoussis, who also found themselves in their Marcoussis base camp this Monday, January 26.
Another new feature compared to previous editions: the Tournament will be spread out less in time, with only one day of rest planned, the weekend of February 28, between the third and fourth days of competition.
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