Every four years, French fans of both snow and ice sports and rugby are met with a treat: The 2026 edition of the Winter Olympics, held in Milan-Cortina, from February 6 to 22, and the Paralympics from March 6 to 15, overlap with the Six Nations tournament.
Between 1998 and 2022, France won five of the seven Six Nations tournaments held in the same year as the Winter Games (champions in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2022). Ahead of their final match against England on Saturday, March 14, at the Stade de France, Antoine Dupont and his teammates, sitting atop the standings, appear to be continuing that winning tradition.
A closer look at the schedule shows France is still enjoying a slight advantage. As in every even year, they have only played two away games โ compared to three for Scotland (currently second in the standings) and England.
But the main answer behind this four-year trend may be thanks to the international rugby calendar, in the summers preceding these successful years for French rugby. Every four years, the best English, Irish, Welsh and Scottish players join forces as the British and Irish Lions, embarking on a tour of around 10 matches on the other side of the world. The team’s most recent tour took place in Australia from June 20 to August 2, 2025.
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