Six Nations Squad Announcement: Full Schedule & How to Watch
The annual Guinness Six Nations is the highlight of the northern hemisphere rugby calendar, and for fans of the Red Rose, it all starts with one crucial event: the England squad announcement. That moment when Head Coach Steve Borthwick names his chosen warriors sets the tone for the entire campaign. Who’s in? Who’s out? What’s the balance of the squad?
If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling across social media or refreshing news sites, trying to piece together the announcement, this guide is for you. We’ll cut through the noise. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly when, where, and how to watch the England men’s rugby team squad announcement live, ensuring you’re the first to get the news straight from the source at Twickenham.
What You'll Need
Getting this right is easy, but having these few things to hand will make the experience seamless.
A Reliable Internet Connection: This is non-negotiable. Whether you’re streaming live or following real-time updates, a stable connection is key.
Your Preferred Device: A smartphone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV will all work perfectly.
Official Social Media Accounts Bookmarked: The Rugby Football Union (RFU) and England Rugby official channels are the primary sources. Avoid unofficial fan pages for initial announcements.
Five Minutes of Time: The announcement itself is usually a concise, pre-recorded video or a live stream that doesn’t drag on.
A Healthy Dose of Patience (Optional but Recommended): Speculation will be rife. Remember, only the official announcement from the head coach and the RFU counts.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Catching the Announcement
Follow these steps, and you won’t miss a beat.
Step 1: Mark the Official Date in Your Calendar
The first and most critical step. The Rugby Football Union typically announces the squad in mid-to-late January, roughly two weeks before the championship begins. While the exact date can shift slightly year-to-year, it is always publicly confirmed well in advance.
Where to Find the Date: The official England Rugby website and the RFU’s main social media channels (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram) will announce the schedule for the squad reveal. Keep an eye on our /latest-news section, where we’ll post a confirmed-date article as soon as it’s released.
Pro Timing Tip: The announcement is usually made on a weekday, often a Tuesday or Wednesday, between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM GMT. Set a calendar alert!
Step 2: Choose Your Viewing Platform
You have a couple of excellent, official options for watching the announcement live. We recommend using both for redundancy.
Primary Platform: England Rugby Digital Channels
The squad is always first revealed via England Rugby’s own digital platforms. Head to their official YouTube channel for a live stream or a premiere of the announcement video. The video will also be instantly posted across their website and social media feeds.
Secondary Platform: Social Media Live Streams
The RFU and England Rugby often host simultaneous live streams on Twitter/X, Facebook, and Instagram. These are great for watching on the go and engaging with other fans in the comments in real-time.
Step 3: Tune In Live for the Full Reveal
When the clock strikes the appointed hour, be ready. The format is usually one of two styles:
- The Direct Address: A video of Head Coach Steve Borthwick, often from inside Twickenham Stadium, speaking directly to camera to announce the squad. He’ll typically discuss his selection philosophy, key players, and the challenges ahead.
- The Produced Video Package: A more cinematic reveal, with dramatic music, training ground footage, and player highlights, culminating in the full squad list.
What to listen for: Borthwick will outline his thinking—expect mentions of leadership (will it be Captain Owen Farrell or another?), the balance between experience and new talent, and specific positional battles. He’ll almost certainly reference learnings from the Autumn Nations Series.
Step 4: Analyse the Squad List & Key Takeaways
Once the video ends, the full written squad list will be published immediately on the England Rugby website. This is where your real analysis begins.
The Big Stories: Immediately scan for:
New Caps: Who are the uncapped players? This is the birth of new legends.
Notable Returns: Is a previously injured star like Marcus Smith or Ellis Genge back in the fold? For the latest on player fitness, our dedicated /england-rugby-injury-updates-procedures page is your go-to resource.
Surprising Omissions: Which established names from the Autumn internationals are missing? This often sparks the biggest debates.
Positional Depth: How many specialist fly-halves, scrum-halves, and locks are there? The selection of players like Maro Itoje is usually a given, but who partners him tells a story.
The Forward Pack: Pay close attention to the front row. The selection of props like Ellis Genge sets the physical tone for the entire campaign. Want to know why Genge is so pivotal? Dive into our /ellis-genge-prop-forward-profile.
Step 5: Follow the Immediate Reaction & Press Conference
The announcement is just the start. Within an hour or two, a formal press conference is held, usually at Twickenham.
Where to Watch: This is often streamed live on the England Rugby website or on sports news channels like Sky Sports News or BBC Sport.
What to Expect: Here, Steve Borthwick and sometimes a senior player will face the media. Journalists will ask pointed questions about specific selections, tactics for the first game (often the Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland), and the team’s ambitions for the Six Nations Championship. This is where you get the nuanced explanations behind the headlines.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
DON’T Trust Leaks: Ignore “leaked” squad lists on forums or from unverified accounts. They are almost always wrong and designed to generate clicks. Wait for the official source.
DO Use Official Hashtags: On social media, follow hashtags like #EnglandRugby and #GuinnessSixNations to easily find fan discussion and official content.
DON’T Forget the Wider Context: The squad is named for the entire tournament, not just the first game. Selections are made with a five-match schedule, including tough away trips and battles for the Millennium Trophy against Ireland, in mind.
DO Prepare for Speculation: In the days leading up, pundits and fans will endlessly debate selections. Enjoy it as part of the buildup, but remember it’s just speculation until the man at HQ speaks.
Your Squad Announcement Day Checklist
To make it foolproof, here’s a simple summary of everything you need to do:
[ ] Confirm the date and time via the England Rugby website or our /latest-news hub.
[ ] Bookmark the official channels: England Rugby YouTube, Twitter/X, and website.
[ ] Set a reminder for 5 minutes before the scheduled announcement.
[ ] Tune in live on your chosen device to watch Steve Borthwick’s reveal.
[ ] Download and scrutinise the official squad list from the RFU website.
[ ] Watch or read highlights from the follow-up press conference for deeper insight.
[ ] Debate responsibly! Enjoy the conversation with fellow fans now that the facts are on the table.
Following this guide means you’ll be informed, prepared, and ready to dissect every selection as England’s journey in the Guinness Six Nations begins. Now, all that’s left is to wait for the call to arms from Twickenham. Come on, England!
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