There is very little new in rugby and, although much is being made of the ‘controversial’ decision to kick off the 2026 Six Nations on a Thursday night of all things – France host Ireland on February 5 – we have, of course, been here before.

Prior to their expulsion from the Five Nations after the 1931 tournament, France had established a tradition of staging matches on New Year’s Day, and after the Second World War was over, they were readmitted into the competition, which restarted in 1947, and they were keen initially to continue that nod to the past.
In 1947, their opening game was a We...