The Six Nations returns next month (Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Excitement is building amongst rugby fans with this year’s Six Nations just around the corner.

The annual tournament kicks-off a huge year for the sport, with the World Cup set to take place in France in the autumn.

Much has changed compared to last year’s edition of the Six Nations, with Steve Borthwick replacing the sacked Eddie Jones as England coach, whilst Warren Gatland has returned for his second spell with Wales in place of Wayne Pivac.

Here is everything you need to know about the Six Nations 2023, with England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy set to do battle on the pitch.

When does the Six Nations start?

The Six Nations will start on Saturday, February 4.

The five rounds of matches will be held across a six week period, with the final fixtures set to take place on Saturday, March 18.

Borthwick has been appointed as England head coach (Picture: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Six Nations fixtures and schedule

Saturday, February 4

Wales vs Ireland (2.15pm)

England vs Scotland (4.45pm)

Sunday, February 5

Italy vs France (3pm)

Saturday, February 11

Ireland vs France (2.15pm)

Scotland vs Wales (4.45pm)

Sunday, February 12

England vs Italy (3pm)

Saturday, February 25

Italy vs Ireland (2.15pm)

Wales vs England (4.45pm)

Sunday, February 26

France vs Scotland (3pm)

Saturday, March 11

Italy vs Wales (2.15pm)

England vs France (4.45pm)

Sunday, March 12

Scotland vs Ireland (3pm)

Saturday March 18

Scotland vs Italy (12.30pm)

France vs Wales (2.45pm)

Ireland vs England (5pm)

Ireland and Wales will be hoping for a strong campaign (Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

How to watch the Six Nations on TV

The BBC and ITV are sharing the rights to broadcast live Six Nations games on TV in the UK.

As well as watching the action on BBC One and ITV 1, fans will also be able to live stream matches on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

Wales fixtures will also be shown live on S4Cv with Welsh language commentary.

Who won the Six Nations last year?

France head into this year’s competition as defending champions having won the title in 2022 – their first since 2010.

Les Bleus won all five of their matches to finish with the Grand Slam, four points ahead of Ireland in second.

England will hope Marcus Smith shines once more (Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images)

England ended up in a disappointing third place with just two wins, finishing ahead of Scotland on points difference.

Wales could muster only one victory to finish fifth, whilst Italy propped up the table with their seventh consecutive Wooden Spoon.

More: Rugby

Which country has won the most titles?

Since the tournament morphed from the Five Nations to the Six Nations in 2000, England have won the most titles, winning the tile on seven occasions.

Their last victory came in 2020, following previous successes in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2011, 2016 and 2017.

However, only two of their victories – 2016 and 2003 – saw them win the Grand Slam in the process.

Wales and France hold the record for the most Grand Slams with four apiece.

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