Few without a pulse cannot fail to be moved by the prospect of a French side cutting a swathe throughout northern Europe in the springtime.

The Six Nations starts on Friday and the annual jamboree between the top rugby nations in the northern hemisphere isn’t short of storylines for the 2025 edition.

Ahead of the opening round of action in the 2025 Six Nations, we run through all the teamsheets. The action gets underway as Antoine Dupont marks his return to the Championship alongside Toulouse teammate Romain Ntamack as France look to kickstart their tournament on a high note against Wales on Friday evening.

The Six Nations is almost here as rugby’s annual spring spectacular returns with perhaps the most open edition yet.Defending champions Ireland are on the hunt for an unprecedented three-peat, but face a potentially tricky opener against the team that denied them back-to-back grand slams a year ago.

In two month’s time the 2025 Six Nations will conclude with the traditional Super Saturday but this weekend it starts with what Welsh fans might be calling Fingers Crossed Friday. That distant

Ireland are the Six Nations championship title holders and looking to win three in a row but France, who play wooden spoon favourites Wales on Friday, are the bookies' tip to lift the trophy this year

Dupont links up with Toulouse colleague Romain Ntamack as his half-back partner, and there is a start for exciting Pau wing Theo Attissogbe for the injured Damian Penaud

France captain Antoine Dupont said Toulouse's thrashing of Leicester in the Champions Cup was the perfect warm-up for the Six Nations.

Antoine Dupont will make a much-awaited return to the Six Nations after a one-year hiatus that cemented his status as one of France's top athletes, hoping Les Bleus can win the tournament on the back of a perfect autumn series.

Antoine Dupont returns to Six Nations after a successful Rugby Sevens stint, aiming to lead France to victory. Having skipped last year's contest, he is eager to capitalize on a victorious autumn series.

Les Bleus are in must-win territory as they begin another Six Nations campaign with big consequences for head coach Fabien Galthie in particular

Dupont is returning to the championship after missing the 2024 edition to prepare for rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics. Read more at straitstimes.com.