The 2027 Guinness Men’s Six Nations reaches Round 3 across Saturday 20 February and Sunday 21 February 2027. The middle weekend of the Championship features Wales hosting Ireland at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, England welcoming Italy to Allianz Stadium (Twickenham) and France facing Scotland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Round 3 often marks the point at which the title picture begins to clarify, with several sides reaching their third fixture and points totals starting to take shape.
What is Six Nations Round 3?
Round 3 is the middle round of the five-round Six Nations Championship, which runs annually between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. Each of the six teams plays five matches, one against each other nation, across five fixture weekends spread from early February to mid-March. Round 3 sits in the middle of the schedule after a two-week break following Round 2, with Round 4 typically another fortnight later before Super Saturday closes the Championship.
Match points follow the World Rugby model of four for a win, two for a draw and zero for a defeat, with bonus points available for scoring four or more tries and for losing by seven or fewer points. Italy’s inclusion in 2000 expanded the tournament from the Five Nations, and every edition since has produced five rounds with 15 total matches.
When is Six Nations Round 3 2027?
Round 3 matches are played on Saturday 20 February and Sunday 21 February 2027. Wales v Ireland kicks off at 2:10pm GMT on Saturday 20 February, followed by England v Italy at 4:40pm GMT the same day. France v Scotland takes place on Sunday 21 February with a 3:10pm GMT kick-off. The staggered schedule spreads the matches across prime television slots in each host market.
Where is Six Nations Round 3 2027?
Principality Stadium in Cardiff hosts Wales v Ireland. The stadium seats around 73,000 and has a retractable roof, guaranteeing playable conditions regardless of weather. Allianz Stadium (formerly Twickenham Stadium) in south-west London stages England v Italy, seating approximately 82,000 in one of world rugby’s largest purpose-built venues. The Stade de France in Saint-Denis just north of Paris is the venue for France v Scotland. With a capacity of around 80,000, it is the French national stadium and has hosted Six Nations matches since its opening in 1998.
Key Contenders
Wales v Ireland is a high-profile fixture given Ireland’s status as one of the Championship’s recent dominant forces, while Wales enter the 2027 edition in a rebuild phase following a turbulent recent cycle. Ireland are led by Caelan Doris and Garry Ringrose under head coach Andy Farrell. Wales’s challenge is to rebuild competitiveness at international level under new coaching leadership.
England v Italy at Twickenham matches up Steve Borthwick’s England against an Italy side that surprised several opponents in 2024 and 2025, including their first Championship win in more than a decade. Italy’s forward pack, anchored by captain Michele Lamaro, remains one of their strongest units and the backline built around Ange Capuozzo has given the Azzurri a new attacking threat.
France v Scotland at the Stade de France features two of the Championship’s most creative attacking sides. France, powered by Antoine Dupont and a strong Top 14 core, are a perennial title contender. Scotland, captained by Finn Russell, have become regular top-three finishers in recent Championships and travel to Paris with a record of taking wins in France when given the chance.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, Wales v Ireland is broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with BBC Scotland covering the match via BBC Alba for Scottish Gaelic audiences. England v Italy is live on ITV1 and ITVX. France v Scotland is also on BBC One. In Ireland, RTE and Virgin Media Television share coverage. France 2 broadcasts France’s match on free-to-air in France, while TV8 covers Italy. In the United States and Canada, Peacock and CBC carry matches. Australia’s Stan Sport and New Zealand’s Sky Sport carry live feeds.
History and Records
Wales v Ireland is one of the oldest fixtures in international rugby, first contested in 1882. Ireland lead the head-to-head record in modern Championship era. England and Italy have met every year since Italy’s inclusion in 2000, with England holding a dominant head-to-head record. France and Scotland share a long rivalry dating back to 1910, with France holding the overall edge but Scotland having delivered notable wins at the Stade de France in recent years. Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton holds the all-time Six Nations points-scoring record.
Tickets and Attendance
Round 3 tickets are sold via the home unions’ ticketing partners. Wales Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union manage sales at Principality Stadium via ticketmaster.co.uk, the RFU handles Allianz Stadium sales for England matches, and the French Rugby Federation runs Stade de France sales. Prices range from around 45 pounds or euros for standard seats to 200 or more for Category 1, with hospitality packages offered by Keith Prowse, Quintevents and others.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Six Nations 2027 Round 3?
Saturday 20 February and Sunday 21 February 2027.
Where are Round 3 matches held?
Principality Stadium Cardiff (Wales v Ireland), Allianz Stadium Twickenham (England v Italy) and Stade de France Saint-Denis (France v Scotland).
How can I watch Six Nations Round 3?
On BBC One and ITV1 in the UK, RTE in Ireland, France 2 in France and Peacock in the United States.
Who won the last Six Nations?
The 2026 Six Nations champions enter the 2027 tournament as defending title holders.