A winter evening. A festive evening. Like this, during the week, in the middle of school term. In the rain or in the cold, it doesn’t matter, the great shell will be crowded, illuminated, unleashed. Flooded by howling waves of human clusters painted blue-white-red. A little green too. This Thursday, February 5, is the opening of the ball in the oval world. There will be 80,000 at the Stade de France to watch France-Ireland, whose kick-off at 9:10 p.m. will launch the Six Nations Tournament.
Full house, sold out. As always. And how many will be in their cottages, warm, behind their television screen? How many millions? A little less than a year ago, for France-Scotland, the coronation match of the Blues won 35-16, there were 9.5 million on France 2, audience record for the year 2025 on French television, all channels and all categories combined.
