England's 2020 Six Nations: Squad, fixtures and latest team news
The Six Nations Championship has a cherished and permanent place on rugby union's global landscape. But as the European game's blue riband tournament prepares for its 2020 edition, there is also an exciting new feel to it.
It might be barely 10 months since Wales signed, sealed and delivered a dream farewell gift to departing head coach Warren Gatland in the form of a Grand Slam, yet so much has changed.
The turnaround in coaches is such that only England boss Eddie Jones and Scotland's Gregor Townsend remain in their positions from last season's Six Nations showpiece.
Gatland's prodigious 12-year Wales reign came to an end after the World Cup in Japan, as did that of his fellow New Zealander Joe Schmidt, who left the Ireland job. Add Conor O'Shea's departure from Italy and Jacques Brunel stepping down in France, and this year's competition promises to be a whole new ball game.
England, unsurprisingly given their status as 2019 World Cup runners-up, are firm favourites with the bookmakers.
But they will face stiff competition. Indeed, the last nine editions of the Six Nations have been won by either England, Ireland or Wales - these three nations winning the Championship three times apiece in that period.
Who will it be this year?
What is England's opening match?
It is against France in Paris on Sunday, February 2 at 3pm.
What are England's full fixtures?
ROUND ONE
France v England.... Stade de France (Paris).... Sunday, February 2.... 3pm GMT.... BBC
ROUND TWO
Scotland v England.... BT Murrayfield (Edinburgh).... Saturday, February 8.... 4.45pm GMT.... BBC
ROUND THREE
England v Ireland.... Twickenham (London).... Sunday, February 23.... 3pm GMT.... ITV
ROUND FOUR
England v Wales.... Twickenham (London).... Saturday, March 7.... 4.45pm GMT.... ITV and S4C
ROUND FIVE
Italy v England....Stadio Olimpico (Rome).... Saturday, March 14.... 4.45pm GMT.... ITV
What is the latest England squad news?
Jack Nowell has joined Billy Vunipola on the injured list for the Six Nations.
Nowell finished Exeter's European match against La Rochelle on Saturday but faces an operation to repair a damaged ankle that could prevent him from playing any part in the Championship.
It is the second hammer blow for England who also learned that Vunipola sustained a broken arm while on Champions Cup duty for Saracens on Sunday. It is the fourth time Vunipola has sustained a fracture to one of his arms, robbing England of one of their most potent carriers for the Six Nations.
Seven players from the Premiership and European champions are present in England's 34-man squad for the Six Nations and they will head to a pre-tournament training camp in Portugal with their club futures shrouded in uncertainty.
Joining Nowell and Vunipola in being absent from the 32 players who helped England reach the World Cup final last autumn are Jack Singleton, Mark Wilson, Dan Cole, Henry Slade, Piers Francis, Joe Cokanasiga, Ben Spencer and Ruaridh McConnochie.
Jones has opted against calling up specialist No 8 cover for Vunipola, overlooking Harlequins' Alex Dombrandt and leaving Tom Curry, Lewis Ludlam and Ben Earl to compete for the position.
Earl is among eight uncapped players who travel to Portugal on Thursday with the exciting Saracens flanker joined by hooker Tom Dunn, wing Ollie Thorley, centre Fraser Dingwall, full-back George Furbank, lock Alex Moon, prop Will Stuart and fly-half Jacob Umaga.
Umaga, nephew of former New Zealand captain Tana, is included ahead of Marcus Smith who trained with England in the build-up to the World Cup.
What are the latest 2020 standings?
How did the 2019 table finish?
What does the all-time Six Nations table look like?
