Sport

The 2026 Women’s Six Nations tournament is fast approaching, kicking off on April 11th and running through May 17th. For rugby fans eager to follow all the action, a wide range of broadcast and streaming options will be available, ensuring coverage across the globe. Whether you’re a local supporter or an international follower, here’s a comprehensive guide to watching the matches.

As with the men’s tournament, the Women’s Six Nations offers extensive free-to-air coverage in participating countries. England are currently favored to lift the trophy, having won 16 times since the tournament expanded to a six-team format in 2002, and boasting a seven-year winning streak dating back to 2019. But regardless of who you’re rooting for, knowing how to access the games is key.

For those looking to stream the matches from anywhere in the world, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be a valuable tool. A VPN allows you to change your IP address, effectively masking your location and granting access to streaming services that might be geo-restricted. This is particularly useful if you’re traveling abroad and want to watch your home country’s coverage.

Free-to-Air Coverage by Country

Fans in the six participating nations are in luck, as the Women’s Six Nations will be broadcast free of charge. Here’s a breakdown of the coverage by country:

• United Kingdom: The BBC will broadcast every single game of the tournament, with coverage available on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and app. All five of England’s games will be shown live on BBC Two, with additional coverage for Welsh and Scottish fans on BBC’s local channels.
• Ireland: Coverage is shared between RTÉ and Virgin Media, with all games available online via RTÉ Player and Virgin Media Play. RTÉ will broadcast Ireland’s games on RTÉ 2, while Virgin Media will demonstrate its games on Virgin Media One and Two.
• France: All matches will be shown for free on the France TV streaming service, with some also available on terrestrial TV channel France 2.
• Italy: Rights are shared between Sky Sports Italy (paid service) and RAI (free-to-air). The five Italy fixtures will be simulcast on RAI’s channels and available on the RAI Play web player.

International Streaming Options

For viewers outside of the participating nations, several paid streaming options are available:

• United States: NBC holds the US rights, with all 15 games streamed live on Peacock. A subscription to Peacock costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
• Australia: Stan Sport will host all 15 matches live and on demand. A Stan Sport add-on costs $15 per month, on top of a general Stan plan starting at $12 per month.

If you’re planning to use a VPN to access region-locked streams, TechRadar recommends NordVPN, citing its strong streaming capabilities and security features.

The 2026 Women’s Six Nations promises to be a thrilling tournament. With comprehensive coverage available across multiple platforms, fans worldwide will have ample opportunity to follow the competition and support their teams. As the tournament approaches, be sure to check the specific schedules and streaming details for your region to ensure you don’t miss a moment of the action.

Stay tuned to archyde.com for further updates and analysis as the Women’s Six Nations 2026 unfolds. Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!

DALLAS – Sophomore guard Zahra King has quickly become a pivotal force for the SMU Mustangs women’s basketball team, stepping into a leadership role and exceeding expectations this season. Thrust into the starting lineup and, unexpectedly, the point guard position due to teammate injuries, the 5-foot-10-inch guard has embraced the challenge, leading the team in scoring and demonstrating remarkable adaptability.

King’s journey this season embodies resilience and a willingness to embrace opportunity. Averaging 15 points per game her performance has surged recently, with an average of 17.8 points over the last 13 games. This transformation highlights her dedication and ability to elevate her game when her team needs it most. The sophomore’s impact extends beyond scoring, as she’s become a key facilitator and defensive presence for the Mustangs.

From Role Player to Leading Scorer

Initially, King focused on preparing for any role she could fill. “When opportunities arrive and knock on your door, you have to be able to be prepared and take them,” King said. “I believe that’s what I was ready to do.” That preparation was tested when injuries forced a shift in the lineup, leading to King taking on the responsibilities of a point guard – a position she hadn’t regularly played. Despite the challenge, she has excelled, shooting 44.9% from the field, placing her among the most efficient guards in the ACC – third only to Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and Cassandre Prosper, according to BVM Sports.

The adjustment hasn’t been seamless. King acknowledges the complexities of running the offense, a departure from her preferred style of play. “It’s been a little bit of a challenge that I’ve been working through,” she explained. “But playing out of position… I like playing off the ball and letting the game come to me. But now in a point guard role, you have to set up your teammates.” She’s learning to balance scoring with playmaking, understanding when to attack and when to facilitate for her teammates.

A Record-Breaking Performance at Pitt

King’s breakout moment came on January 18th in a road game against Pittsburgh, where she delivered a career-high 40-point performance, leading SMU to their first ACC victory. The game was particularly special as her entire family traveled from New York to watch her play. King shot 11 of 19 from the floor, including 7 of 12 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 11 of 13 from the free-throw line, adding three assists, four steals, and three rebounds. This performance not only secured a crucial win but likewise etched her name in SMU history, tying for the third-most points scored in a single game, a record previously held since 1997 when Shawna Ford scored 42 against TCU, BVM Sports reports. She is also tied for second in most 3s made in a game by a Mustang.

Despite the individual accolades, King emphasizes the importance of team dynamics. With only four players on the 15-player roster having appeared in all 28 games this season, consistency has been a challenge. “Another layer of difficulty… is learning those tendencies of her teammates with many of them in and out of the lineup,” BVM Sports noted.

Growth and Guidance from Coach Barnes

King credits SMU coach Adia Barnes with helping her navigate these challenges and unlock her potential. Barnes has provided King with the freedom to learn and grow, trusting her with increased responsibility on the court. “I love the fact that she believes in me and has the trust in me,” King said. “It’s cool that she trusts me to learn these new things, gives me the reigns to go score and be free and play my game.” Barnes’ guidance extends beyond on-court strategy, focusing on film study and breaking down complex game situations to help King slow the game down and make better decisions.

As the regular season nears its conclusion with two games remaining, Zahra King’s continued development will be crucial for the SMU Mustangs. Her ability to adapt, score, and lead will be vital as the team looks to build momentum heading into postseason play. The focus will be on maintaining consistency and further refining her role as a key playmaker for the Mustangs.

What’s next for King and the SMU Mustangs remains to be seen, but her dedication and growth this season have undoubtedly positioned her as a player to watch in the ACC, and beyond.

Share your thoughts on Zahra King’s impressive season in the comments below!

DUNEDIN, Fla. — The spring air in Dunedin carries a sense of opportunity for several Toronto Blue Jays prospects as the team navigates a unique situation created by the upcoming World Baseball Classic. With key players departing for national team duties, younger players are poised to gain valuable experience and showcase their abilities during Grapefruit League play.

Grant Rogers, a 24-year-old pitching prospect, recently experienced a taste of this opportunity, facing a formidable Fresh York Yankees lineup in his first big-league spring training start on Tuesday. The situation, while daunting, offered a crucial chance to impress the Blue Jays’ coaching staff as they evaluate potential contributors for the 2026 season.

“The anticipation was killing me,” Rogers said, reflecting on the days leading up to his start. “I was excited.” He learned just last Thursday he’d be taking the mound against the Yankees, a realization that quickly became more intense when teammate C.J. Van Eyk pointed out the strength of the opposing lineup.

Facing a lineup featuring established stars like Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Paul Goldschmidt, Trent Grisham, and Austin Wells, Rogers allowed two runs in the first inning but settled in to pitch a clean second in an 8-7 Blue Jays loss. He induced a double-play from Goldschmidt, struck out Grisham, and forced Judge to pop out, demonstrating poise against elite competition.

Increased Playing Time for Prospects

The opportunity for Rogers and other prospects like him is directly linked to the departures of Blue Jays players participating in the World Baseball Classic. Kazuma Okamoto will head to Japan on Friday, with the rest of the Blue Jays’ infield following shortly after. Even players on the bubble, such as Leo Jimenez and Adam Macko, are joining their respective national teams, creating a significant increase in playing time for those vying for a spot on the roster.

Manager John Schneider emphasized the value of these opportunities, stating that the coaching staff is using this time to gain a deeper understanding of each player’s potential. “Each look is valuable,” Schneider said. “We have our ideas about players…but it’s nice to observe them.” He explained that the coaching staff is focused on evaluating players’ awareness, decision-making, and ability to contribute to winning, even in spring training games.

Evaluating Beyond the Box Score

Schneider detailed the importance of observing players in various game situations, noting that the team will actively create those scenarios to assess their reactions and instincts. “We’ll force those issues at times if we can, without really caring about the win-loss result,” he said. “I want to see all that stuff. Whether they like it or not, you leave an impression, and you want to have one when you do leave that I can say, or (the other coaches) can say, yeah, we trust you.”

Several players expected to begin the season at triple-A Buffalo are also getting extended looks this spring, including Josh Kasevich, who started at third base against the Yankees and will also see time at second, catcher Brandon Valenzuela, and infielder Ben Cowles. Outfielder Yohendrick Pinango and corner infielder Charles McAdoo are also expected to start the year in Buffalo.

Nimmala’s Potential Path

Top prospect Arjun Nimmala, 20, is also making an impression, and has a chance to open the season at double-A New Hampshire with a strong showing. Schneider stressed the importance of these young players understanding the speed of the game and learning from their experiences against quality pitching. “You want these guys to understand the speed of the game a little bit,” Schneider said. “They’re going to be facing really good pitchers if they’re starting games and how they handle that. I want to see them learn in real time.”

Rogers, drafted in the 11th round in 2023 out of McNeese State University, demonstrated his ability to handle adversity during his start against the Yankees, recovering after a shaky first inning. He credits his durability and a focus on generating weak contact as key components of his pitching style. “I love breaking bats,” Rogers said. “I’ll take a strikeout. But I love breaking bats, getting double plays, groundballs on the first or second pitch.”

His arsenal, described by Schneider as similar to that of Chris Bassitt, features a sinker averaging 92.7 mph, along with a slider, splitter, cutter, and developing curveball. The Blue Jays’ development staff believes Rogers’ ability to pitch, rather than simply throw, is a valuable asset.

With the departures for the World Baseball Classic creating a temporary void, the Blue Jays are providing a valuable opportunity for their prospects to showcase their talent and potentially earn a spot on the roster when the team inevitably needs depth. The coming weeks will be crucial for these players as they strive to make a lasting impression on the coaching staff and position themselves for success in the 2026 season.

The Blue Jays will continue to evaluate their prospects throughout spring training, with a focus on identifying players who can contribute to the team’s success. Stay tuned for further updates as the team prepares for the upcoming season.