Six Nations 2023

The oldest fixture in rugby union was, not so long ago, one of the most one-sided. From 1991-2007, England and Scotland met 29 times.

England matches are shared between the broadcasters, who began sharing rights across the competition in 2016. [Ireland vs France](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2023/01/03/ireland-v-france-six-nations-2023-date-kick-predictions-tv/), 2.15pm, at Aviva Stadium (Dublin), ITV [Scotland vs Wales](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2023/01/03/scotland-v-wales-six-nations-2023-date-kick-predictions-tv/), 4.45pm, at BT Murrayfield (Edinburgh), BBC The Six Nations 2023 kicks off on Saturday, when Wales face Ireland in Cardiff and England play Scotland at Twickenham. [Wales vs Ireland](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2023/01/03/wales-v-ireland-six-nations-2023-date-kick-predictions-tv/), 2.15pm, at Principality Stadium (Cardiff), BBC [England vs Scotland](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2023/01/03/england-v-scotland-six-nations-2023-date-kick-predictions-tv/), 4.45pm, at Twickenham (London), ITV Steve Borthwick takes charge for the first time since replacing Eddie Jones as coach. From 1991-2007, England and Scotland met 29 times.

The match at Twickenham on Saturday follows the opening fixture between Wales and Ireland in Cardiff. The final first-round fixture is between Italy and ...

Despite their poor recent record in the fixture, England are odds on favourites and generally available around 1/3. New Zealand referee Paul Williams will take charge of the match at Twickenham. George Horne is on the bench. Ollie Hassell-Collins, the London Irish wing, has been handed his first cap in a rejigged midfield following injuries to Elliot Daly, Henry Slade and Dan Kelly. [ITV](/topic/itv) and STV due to start at 4pm. The final first-round fixture is between [Italy](/topic/italy) and France on Sunday.

Scotland look for a third consecutive Calcutta Cup victory as they head to Twickenham: here's the start time, how to watch the match, team line-ups and ...

We have to strive to be at our best level or close to our best level over the next six or seven weeks. Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend: “We’ve played England in the opening game for the last couple of seasons. To a man, the players are determined to play with the commitment, fight and desire that is at the very heart of representing England, the sort of passion that our tremendous supporters rightly expect.” For our supporters, it’s the biggest game of the season. For players, it’s hugely important because we play for a trophy, but it’s only one of five Six Nations games. Darcy Graham has been ruled out through injury, with Glasgow captain Kyle Steyn selected on the right wing and Duhan van der Merwe on the left, while Stuart Hogg takes his place at full-back as he earns his 97th cap for his country. Meanwhile, there is no place for Ali Price in Scotland's matchday 23, with Ben White instead picked to start at scrum-half alongside fly-half Finn Russell. Chris Harris, Blair Kinghorn and Jonny Gray are among the replacements. Winger Ollie Hassell-Collins has been handed a debut, with the London Irish star joining Freddie Steward and Max Malins in a new-look back three. Steve Borthwick's first England matchday squad sees Manu Tuilagi dropped entirely as one of eight changes from their defeat to South Africa in November. Harlequins hooker Jack Walker could also make his debut off the bench having been named amongst the replacements. Jack Nowell.

Steve Borthwick has begun a new era as head coach and some new names have been brought into his starting line-up in a crucial World Cup year.

He will be paired alongside Maro Itoje, with the Saracens lock also having learned a lot from Borthwick during his early days at Saracens before latterly with England. One such name in Leicester Tigers' second row Ollie Chessum, with the 22-year-old having made his debut in last year's Six Nations against Italy but is named from the start for the first time in a Six Nations match this weekend as England face Scotland hoping to regain the Calcutta Cup. Playing under the new England coach at Leicester Tigers, the Boston born Chessum won the 2022 Premiership title with Tigers.

Follow the Six Nations match between England and Scotland from Twickenham with live score updates on Saturday, 4 February 2023.

“But we believe this is the strongest squad that we can pick for this weekend. Gregor Townsend said: “It was a difficult selection, so many players have been in really good form. Steve Borthwick said of going back to the Smith-Farrell combination: “I think it’s the right combination for this game. ALSO READ:

Plus, an updated list of players unavailable for selection due to injury.

Both will miss the opening round against Scotland. Max Malins (Saracens, 14 caps) Owen Farrell (Saracens, 101 caps) Maro Itoje (Saracens, 62 caps) Jamie George (Saracens, 72 caps) Ben Earl (Saracens, 13 caps)

Warren Gatland's return is spoiled by Ireland as the world's number one side humble Wales in the opening Six Nations match in Cardiff.

Sexton converted and slotted over another penalty. Wales face a trip to Scotland next weekend, with Ireland hosting France in what could prove a pivotal game in the battle for the 2023 Six Nations trophy. Wales continued to attack but could not cross for a second score and Ireland demonstrated their clinical edge with Van der Flier diving over for the final score. Ireland overpowered a woeful Wales side in the first half, with the hosts repeatedly punished for ill-discipline and inaccuracy. Wales improved in the second half and responded with a Liam Williams try. Warren Gatland's return was spoiled by Ireland as the world's number one side humbled Wales in the opening Six Nations match in Cardiff.

Duhan van der Merwe's double saw Scotland make it three Calcutta Cup wins in a row for the first time since 1972 as they beat England 29-23 in the teams' ...

Half-back partner Marcus Smith sent a pinpoint kick to the right corner, and Malins dived on the ball to score. Russell converted again to leave England needing a converted try to win. It was much better second half from us and a brilliant win." Back row Jamie Ritchie captained Scotland as they took aim at their third-straight Calcutta Cup triumph, with Luke Crosbie making only his second start for Gregor Townsend’s team after being named on the other flank. Having made their first entry of the match into England's 22 on the back of a well-worked lineout move from George Turner's long throw, Scotland patiently built until Sione Tuipulotu slotted through a grubber for centre partner Jones to chase down and finish. Joe Marchant made his first start since last July at outside centre, and prop Dan Cole was included on the bench for his first appearance since England’s 2019 World Cup final defeat along with uncapped hooker Jack Walker.

France begin the defence of their Six Nations title this Sunday when they take on underdogs Italy in their opening match of the 2023 event at the Stadio ...

Rugby fans in the UK can also tune into Sunday's match at the Stadio Olimpico via a livestream, with the game available to watch via ITVX. Their title defence will resume this weekend when they make the trip to Rome to take on underdogs Italy at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. The French stole the show last year, winning all five games to clinch their first Six Nations title in 12 years.

Italy: 15. Ange Capuozzo, 14. Pierre Bruno, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Luca Morisi, 11. Tommaso Menoncello, 10. Tommaso Allan, 9. Stephen Varney; 1.

Crowley believes Italy need to be more “street smart” and Lamaro is eager that his side “stops conceding mistakes after a mistake” so they can “stay in the fight for 80 minutes”. Some of Italy’s back play in the autumn, with Capuozzo sweeping into the line, was exceptional. There is a faint chill in the breeze, but otherwise the conditions could not be more auspicious for a free-flowing game of Test match rugby. Tommaso Menoncello, who starts on the left wing against France was described by Paul Gustard, his former Benetton defence coach, as “built like a bull” yet “shredded and super-fast” with “huge endurance”. Georgia overturned the Azzurri in July, adding weight to the Lelos’ eagerness for Six Nations expansion. France, who begin the defence of their Six Nations title today, have not lost a match since 2021, while Italy have not beaten their border-sharing adversaries since 2013. Ramos lurks behind to scoop up the ball and make the try – but this goes for review too! Kieran Crowley, the Italy head coach, has warned that Capuozzo must contend with second-season syndrome in 2023. The lineout is taken well, and Allen tries to move forward, but within moments, they're turned over. After surging forward with confidence, France are poised for Penaud to side a sumptuous aerial pass to Dumortier on the left. Capuozzo struggles through the pack, and Italy tries for space down both wings, but France lock up defensively. But he comes off the better, slipping past him to the corner just in time to plant the ball by the overturned flag.

Will last season's grand slam winners France open their campaign with victory in Rome, or could Italy produce a shock? Join Lee Calvert.

Italy come back at them from the lineout and create a little gap for Capuozzo out wide, but the ball is slightly behind him and snaffled by Ramos. Dupont has a dart left off the back of a big French maul in the Italy half. Allan call for the tee and puts his side on the board. Some outstanding attacking patterns and handling from Italy follows a big maul drive, and France are scrambling all over the place in their own half. On another advantage, Italy are attacking on the France 22, and the intricacy of their attacking patterns is outstanding. The work it with several carries from the forward tight around the ruck, before the ball rolls loose and is regathered. Italy manage something resembling a reasonable exit from the kick-off, and France have their first attack of the half from the resulting lineout. Well, yes, in that he blew the whistle to award the penalties that gave Italy either territory or a chance to kick posts. The Azzuri pack catch and drive it and on the second shove they are this close to forcing the ball over the line but Ollivon illegally pulls the maul down. France have some decent possession of the first time in a while and from a maul on the right the fire it left into midfield. Fusco has added a bit more zip with his passing from the breakdown as Italy try to run it from their own half. Les Bleus had a chance to close out the game with a lineout in the Italy half, but the imprecision comes to the fore once more as they can’t claim their own throw.

Live updates from Sundays Round 1 2023 Six Nations clash between defending Grand Slam champions France and Italy from the Stadio Olimpico in Rome (3pm ...

France are the reigning grand slam champions and begin their title defence with a trip to Rome to face a resurgent Italy.

“Down by white!” cries Matthew Carley - France have done it! An extraordinary game of rugby, and another significant feather in the cap of this rapidly developing Italian team. This competition is the best in the world and we are really under pressure. You doubt that Fabien Galthie will over-react, but he’ll be worried about how Italy were able to stress and strain his midfield defence. “They have really, really lifted their game, they’ve improved their gameplan, their discipline - it was a tough game. Each game is going to be a different challenge.” We are very confident for next week. F/T: Italy 24-29 France “We are improving every week. We had our chances - first half, a bit too many errors, we gave away 19 points off our mistakes. It’s those small margins we talk about. The Six Nations, eh?

Les Bleus swept all before them last year for the first time in 12 years and eased past England to clinch glory in Paris on the final day.

Italy 24-29 France FT: Italy 24-29 France Italy 24-29 France LIVE!