Six Nations Kicks Off with New Talents and Fantasy Picks

PARIS (Azat TV) – The 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship is set to ignite this Thursday, February 5th, with a highly anticipated opening clash between defending champions France and a formidable Ireland squad in Paris. As the tournament prepares to showcase Europe’s premier rugby talent, fans are also gearing up for the return of Six Nations Fantasy Rugby, seeking to identify breakout stars and reliable performers from the newly announced lineups to build their winning teams. The Irish Rugby Football Union has confirmed that Six Nations Fantasy Rugby is back, offering amazing prizes and an Irish Rugby Supporters league for participants, amplifying the excitement around player selections.

This year’s Championship promises a compelling blend of established powerhouses and a new wave of promising athletes, all vying to make their mark. The opening round, especially the France-Ireland encounter, is expected to provide early insights into form and potential fantasy goldmines.

Opening Battle: France vs. Ireland and Key Fantasy Players

The 2026 Six Nations kicks off with a high-stakes encounter between France and Ireland at Stade de France, a fixture that has become one of modern international rugby’s most compelling rivalries. France, who have won 13 of their 26 Six Nations meetings with Ireland, will be led by the returning scrum-half Antoine Dupont as captain, reclaiming his number nine shirt. Head coach Fabien Galthie’s squad features a dynamic lineup, including Matthieu Jalibert at fly-half and Thomas Ramos at fullback, who has been the top points scorer in each of the last three editions of the Men’s Six Nations, making him a crucial fantasy asset.

Ireland, under Head Coach Andy Farrell, will be captained by Caelan Doris. Their lineup for the Paris opener includes Jamie Osborne, Tommy O’Brien, and Jacob Stockdale in the back three, with Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose in midfield. Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast form the half-back pairing. In the pack, Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne are in the engine room, while Dan Sheehan, who has scored five tries in each of the last two Six Nations editions, presents a significant fantasy points opportunity from the hooker position.

Historical data from Opta Facts highlights the intensity of this rivalry: Ireland has won more round 1 fixtures than any other team (W19 D1 L6), while France boasts an impressive home record, having won 12 of their last 13 Six Nations games at the Stade de France, including the last seven in a row. Both teams were also among the least penalized in the 2025 Championship, indicating disciplined play that can be beneficial for fantasy team managers.

Emerging Stars: Six Nations Fantasy Prospects

Beyond the established names, a crop of new and emerging talents are poised to make a significant impact in the 2026 Championship, offering exciting prospects for fantasy rugby enthusiasts:

• Greg Fisilau (England, 0 caps): The 22-year-old Exeter number eight is a powerful ball-carrier with nimble footwork and an impressive tackle rate, ranking eighth in the English top flight. His combination of attacking and defensive prowess makes him a valuable asset for fantasy managers seeking points from carries and defensive work.
• Edwin Edogbo (Ireland, 0 caps): A 23-year-old second row from Munster, Edogbo stands at 6ft 5in and 20 stone. Having overcome significant injury setbacks, he has scored three tries in nine games this season. His physicality and try-scoring ability offer potential for impact off the bench or as a starter, providing significant fantasy points.
• Kalvin Gourgues (France, 1 cap): The 20-year-old’s Test debut last November showcased his electrifying talent, assisting a try within seven minutes. Gourgues’ versatility across midfield, full-back, and fly-half, combined with his playmaking ability, makes him an exciting, albeit potentially high-risk, fantasy pick, especially as he is named as a backline replacement for the opening game.
• Freddy Douglas (Scotland, 1 cap): At 19, Douglas became Scotland’s youngest representative in over 60 years in 2024. His low-slung jackalling ability, honed through yoga, has delivered a fistful of turnovers this season. Having bulked up for ball-carrying, he is excellent for fantasy points through turnovers and gainline carries.
• Louie Hennessey (Wales, 0 caps): A classy centre with physicality, quick feet, and playmaking ability, Hennessey has been in fine form for Bath, scoring a try in a recent Premiership match. His ability to also play on the wing enhances his fantasy appeal, as he could accumulate points across multiple categories.
• Samuele Locatelli (Italy, 0 caps): The uncapped 24-year-old back-rower has been in fine form, voted player of the year in the Italian top flight and impressing in the United Rugby Championship with Zebre. Given Italy’s injury disruptions in the back row, Locatelli could see significant game time, making him a potential dark horse for fantasy teams.

Wales’ Rees-Zammit Returns to Six Nations Stage

Louis Rees-Zammit, the ‘box office’ Welsh full-back, is set to make a significant return to the Six Nations after chasing an NFL dream. His re-entry into rugby union last summer and subsequent flourishing at full-back for Bristol makes him a compelling fantasy option for Wales, who are looking for a ‘clean slate’ under new coach Steve Tandy. Rees-Zammit’s pace and power are expected to be key for Wales, who last secured a Six Nations victory against Italy in March 2023. He will feature in the highly anticipated England vs. Wales clash at Twickenham, a match he describes as ‘no bigger game.’

The 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship is poised to be a tournament of both familiar rivalries and fresh narratives. The blend of established stars and burgeoning talents, alongside the historical significance of opening clashes, creates a dynamic environment for both real-world competition and fantasy league strategy, as teams and individual players aim to leave their indelible mark on the Championship.