There are exciting changes coming for fans who have tickets to Six Nations matches, as the organisers look to give fans a more engaging experience with the new Super Saturday.
Six Nations bosses are considering a radical schedule change that would see “Super Saturday” take place every weekend during the men’s championship.
Currently, two matches per round are played on Saturdays, and one match is played on Sundays or sometimes on Friday nights.
The only time all three matches are played on a Saturday is in the final round of the tournament.
However, discussions are reportedly underway to eliminate Sunday games and play all matches on Saturdays.
Officials believe broadcasters and fans with tickets to the six-nation tournament would benefit from more action on Saturday.
Seven of the most-watched matches in the 2024 Championship took place on Saturdays, with the Friday night opener between France and Ireland coming in eighth.
The three games with the lowest television viewership (Wales v France in Cardiff, Ireland at home to Italy and France at home to Italy) were all on Sundays.
Friday night matches were first introduced in 2009, when Wales played France in Cardiff, while the 2024 Championship will start on a Friday, with France playing Ireland in Marseille.
France are scheduled to play Wales in the opening match of the 2025 tournament on Friday 31 January (8.15pm BST).
Due to logistical issues, only Wales and France have hosted matches on Fridays, while Sunday afternoon games are generally unpopular with away fans.
Until now, these conversations have only applied to the men’s championship, with the women’s tournament taking place exclusively in March and April and having different broadcast deals.
All eyes in 2025 will be on Angers Capuoso!
Italy’s dynamic full-back Ange Capuaccio has become one of the most exciting players at the Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship.
Renowned for his game-changing play, Capuozzo’s rise to international rugby has been remarkable. His journey began with an impressive debut against Scotland at the age of 22 in the 2022 Championship. He scored two tries as a substitute. Later that year, he sealed his big-time breakthrough by scoring another two goals in a win over Australia in the Autumn Nations Series.
One of Capuozzo’s most memorable moments came in the first Guinness Six Nations when he made a stunning run against Wales in Cardiff to set up Edoardo Padavani’s try. The crucial play helped Italy win the Championship for the first time in seven years and led to an emotional post-match exchange between Capuozzo and opposition winger Josh Adams.
Moments like those only served to further solidify the youngster’s reputation as a clutch performer, earning him the applause of fans who had tickets to the Six Nations Championship.
Capuoso’s club career has also flourished since he moved to Toulouse from his hometown club Grenoble in 2022.
At Toulouse, he quickly adapted to the top 14, showing his talents alongside some of the best players in European rugby, including modern rugby’s biggest superstar, Antoine Dupont.
During his time at Toulouse, Capuoso showed his characteristic agility and flair, and his performances helped Toulouse remain a dominant force in the top 14.
Capuozzo faced challenges because of his size, but he turned what many saw as a disadvantage into an asset. His agility and ability to evade tackles made him a formidable opponent on the pitch, while coaches and teammates praised his work ethic and determination. His move to one of Europe’s most successful clubs represented a significant step in his career, solidifying his place as a rising star in rugby.
Injuries and illnesses could prevent him from fully participating in the 2024 Championships.
But Capuoso still had a positive impact, scoring a try in the draw with France and also coming on in the narrow win over Scotland (and bragging about his full-back and team-mate Blair Kinghorn in the process).
His importance to Italy’s continued progress under new coach Gonzalo Quesada is undeniable, and more great things are expected as the autumn Nations Series approaches.
Springbok legend doesn’t want to play in Six Nations
Amid speculation that the Springboks could soon be kicked out of the Rugby Championship and join the Six Nations Championship, several legends have expressed concerns about the alliance.
Former Springboks coach Jake White has urged the Six Nations Championship not to include South Africa in the tournament, saying it would lose its appeal as a championship.
South Africa’s participation in the Rugby Championship is uncertain as they have currently committed to Sanjar until the end of 2025.
This has led to rumours that the Boxers could enter the Six Nations Championship, which unlike the Rugby Championship, is held in the same time zone as South Africa.
After his team the Bulls beat Bristol Bears 31-17 in the Champions Cup, White was asked about the Springboks’ future and his view was firm.
“I’m an old-fashioned guy. I don’t think I could see South Africa playing in the Six Nations,” the 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning coach told reporters.
“When I look back on the game, I am reminded of players like the late JPR Williams. I can’t imagine South Africa playing in the Six Nations.”
The rugby boss added: “I don’t know. A lot has changed in rugby and I hope the Six Nations continues to be about the six nations playing in the north.”
The Bulls left Super Rugby to join the United Rugby Championship alongside the Lions, Sharks and Stormers, while the Cheetahs entered the Challenge Cup.
“If you start bringing in South Africa, what’s stopping you from bringing in New Zealand and Australia? All that kind of stuff. Then it’s not six countries,” he said.
“As an old person, I hope that doesn’t happen. If you say something like that in your hometown, you’ll probably die.”
Many fans who had purchased tickets to the Six Nations were initially excited by the news that the Springboks would be cutting ties with the Southern Hemisphere following the pandemic, but the news of their new addition to the Six Nations did not come as expected.
Fans will wait until next year.
