Something old, something new, something borrowed and something bleu.
The Six Nations championship kicks off for the 27th time tomorrow night, and 132nd time in all guises, with a couple of small tweaks.
There's a first ever Six Nations Thursday night match to start proceedings and we'll have just one break week after round three.
The Irish squad have borrowed from the lower rungs of the ladder to make up for a hellish injury list, while there's a real sense of Les Bleus when it comes to picking a winner.
Low expectations and trepidation surround Irish rugby for this renewal - an unusual feeling which hasn't existed in recent seasons.
The Against the Head panel of Donal Lenihan, Bernard Jackman and Darren Cave set the scene ahead of the start of the 2026 Guinness #SixNations #RTESport #RTERugby pic.twitter.com/b2sk0Zo71B
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 2, 2026
The closest comparison - and this could be a good omen - even if the World Cup hangover was still hovering over both sides, actually came ahead of the corresponding fixtures two years ago when Ireland headed to Marseille in a battle of beaten quarter-finalists.
Back then, it was felt that the home side, even without Antoine Dupont, who was on Sevens duty, would be too strong but the superb 38-17 victory was the springboard as Ireland retained their title and came within a late dropgoal against England of back-to-back Grand Slams.
A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then.
Ireland, third last season under interim head coach Simon Easterby, have looked a pale shadow of the team that peaked in 2023, and were distinctly second best in autumn defeats to New Zealand and South Africa, the latter a vulgar display of raw Springbok power that laid bare the gap between the best and the rest.
Leinster, the bulk supplier to the squad, struggled early in the season and still look off their best, while Munster, after a promising start, bailed out of Europe at the pool stage.
The British and Irish Lions exploits last summer can also go some way in terms of mitigation.
A lengthy injury list of front rowers means teams will target the Irish scrum, as the world champions did to spectacular effect in November.
Andy Farrell will hope that Tadhg Furlong, who misses out tomorrow, can shake off his lingering calf issues. Ryan Baird, Ireland's most in-form back row before his injury at the end of November, and Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and Robbie Henshaw are also out.
Bundee Aki is suspended, his four-match ban highlighting the disciplinary issues that have slowly but surely crept into the camp.
Jamison Gibson-Park continues to be a vital cog at scrum-half but outside him, the hopefuls - with Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley to the fore - are producing mixed performances, neither establishing themselves as the rightful heir; Harry Byrne is now firmly in the frame.
But it's Prendergast who gets another shot in the Paris cauldron with big question marks around his defensive application.
Les Bleus, 42-27 winners last season in Dublin, provide a tough assignment and there's little to suggest that the almost 13-point spread in favour of the defending champions is not justified.
It's France and England, second place last year, that head up the favourites list, with Ireland, Scotland (fourth last year), Italy (fifth) and Wales, wooden spoonists for the second time running hoping to make more of a dent with a shock along the way.
France, with Dupont back in harness after an ACL injury, host both Ireland tomorrow (8.10pm Irish time) and England, in round five, and coach Fabien Galthie has deemed that Greg Alldritt, Gael Fickou and top-try scorer Damian Penaud are surplus to requirements.
It's a statement of intent, however, the sudden loss of powerhouse prop Uini Atonio, who had to retire due to a heart issue, is a serious blow.
Italy, who have been improving in recent seasons, arrive in round two and might have a sense that a first ever Six Nations win in Dublin is not beyond their reach - 'if not now then when?' could be an apt mantra for Gonzalo Quesada that week.
The Azzurri are looking for a second consecutive home win over Scotland on Saturday and how they fare there, and how Ireland perform in Saint-Denis is likely to significantly inform the build-up to the Valentine's Day clash.
Ange Capuozzo is out with a finger injury, while in-form Northampton wing Edoardo Todardo is also out. That's a loss for the tournament as much as the Italians.
Usually there would be a down week following the second-round games but the new compacted format sees Ireland make the trip to Twickenham to end a hectic opening block.
By that stage, while Steve Borthwick's men will have played Wales at home and Scotland away and a Triple Crown could well be on the cards.
England come into the tournament on an 11-game winning streak as Borthwick looks to deliver a first Six Nations title since 2020.
Never shy of confidence, England have added the lively Henry Pollock to their ranks and he comes into the championship as one of the form players in Europe - just what the Red Rose need, more swagger.
Their kick-heavy gameplan is not elaborate but effective and they'll fancy their chances. They've gone with the experienced out-half George Ford to lead the line.
They are not without their injury concerns, with props Will Stuart, Fin Baxter and Asher Opoku-Fordjour all ruled out, although the Premiership's numerical advantage means they, like France, are usually able to absorb losses.
Then comes the break before a double-header of home games, against Wales on Friday, 6 March and Scotland eight days later.
The last Six Nations Aviva Stadium victory for Wales came in 2012, while Scotland have never beaten Ireland in the stadium in the Six Nations (the 2010 win was at Croke Park).
Wales will try to harness some of the spirit that they showed in the Principality clash against Ireland last year when they were unlucky not to cause a shock.
The off-field mess at the Welsh Rugby Union can help Steve Tandy's side engage a siege mentality to try and make themselves more than the sum of their parts.
That was a trait of Warren Gatland's successful Wales teams but they certainly don't have the talent that the Kiwi had at his disposal and the absence of Jac Morgan and Taulupe Faletau for the opening rounds at least don't help their cause.
'He's simplified things and got down to what he’s good at, beating people’ – Andy Farrell on the return to the starting Ireland team for Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 3, 2026
📱Read more➡️ here https://t.co/hXgbAYrEGb pic.twitter.com/HpbRFXsMOb
The return of winger Louis Rees-Zammit after his NFL sojourn is a boost.
The form of Glasgow Warriors, who top the URC table and recorded four wins from four in the Champions Cup, puts a bit more meat on the bone of Scotland's perennial self-regard and, like Italy, must believe that this can be their year to get a first win over Ireland in 12 attempts.
We'll believe it when we see it.
Ireland's failure to secure back-to-back Slams in 2024 meant the title was almost accepted as a consolation prize, but Farrell would snap the hand off any man offering the possibility of still being in the race in six weeks' time.
But it may just be that this is a Six Nations of transition for Ireland.
Getting a few caps under Edwin Edogbo's considerable belt, sorting out a solid and reliable setpiece, improving discipline, finding a back-up to Keenan and bedding in a go-to out-half - whoever that is - are must-do's before World Cup year.
There's a lot of rugby to be played between now and St Patrick's weekend and even if Irish fans enter with a justifiable sense of pessimism, sport constantly throws up tales of the unexpected.
That's why we love it.
Prediction:
1. France
2. England
3. Ireland
4. Scotland
5. Italy
6. Wales
Follow a live blog on France v Ireland in the Six Nations on Thursday from 8.10pm. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch France v Ireland in the Under-20 Six Nations on Saturday from 7.50pm on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player
Watch live coverage of England v Ireland (21 February) and Ireland v Wales (6 March) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
