Ireland XV v England A live on Premier Sports
January 28, 2026
Premier Sports will broadcast exclusive coverage of the Ireland XV (Ireland A) v England A on February 6th as two of world rugby’s deepest player pathways go head-to-head in a fixture that has become a proving ground for future test internationals.
The partnership with the IRFU follows Premier Sports’ UK broadcasts of two England A matches in November 2025; England A v All Blacks XV from The Rec in Bath and England A v Australia A.
The ‘A’ fixture adds to Premier Sports’ live UK coverage of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations with five games (one per round) from the big tournament, opening with Italy v Scotland on February 7th live from The Stadio Olympico in Rome.
Ireland XV (Ireland A) v England A on Premier Sports will be shown across the UK and Ireland and include full match presentation, pre-match build-up and post-match analysis.
The two sides last met at Ashton Gate in Bristol in February 2025 where England A claimed a 28–12 victory.
The fixture arrives just 24 hours after Ireland’s Six Nations opener in France, giving additional context to selection dynamics and pushing the spotlight firmly onto those players seeking to force their way into senior reckoning over the coming weeks.
Premier Sports CEO, Richard Sweeney, commented: “Premier Sports is thrilled to be able to bring this compelling live fixture to rugby fans throughout the UK and Ireland as we get a look at both nations’ emerging talent. The ‘A’ pathway has produced countless internationals over the years and it’s important that these opportunities are showcased as part of the rugby landscape. These games between Ireland v England have always been a brilliant marker of depth and ambition, and it’s exciting to see that rivalry return centre stage at a time when both unions are investing heavily in their player pathways. Thomond Park under lights has a special kind of atmosphere and it will be a superb backdrop for an historic fixture that carries real meaning for both squads, fans and the Unions.
“Premier Sports is committed to telling the full rugby story, from all levels of the game and not just the headline moments. We want to support the game by showing development pathways and competitive environments that shape national teams and build future stars. The A fixture will be a fitting way to open our new Guinness Men’s Six Nations coverage across the UK as we bring a fresh view and presentation from five of the Championship fixtures featuring Wales and Scotland – further strengthening Premier Sports as the home of elite rugby for rugby fans across the UK and Ireland,” added Sweeney.
COVERAGE DETAILS
- Ireland XV v England A
- Date: Friday 6 February 2026
- Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick
- Kick-off: 19:15 GMT
- Live on: Premier Sports in the UK & Ireland
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