Ireland and France will play for a new piece of Six Nations silverware from 2026, with the IRFU and the French Federation of Rugby (FFR) officially unveiling the Solidarity / Solidarité Trophy. The new trophy will be awarded annually to the winners of the Ireland versus France fixtures in both the men’s and women’s senior Six Nations competitions, marking a significant first for the championship.
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Two identical trophies will be presented each season, one for the men’s Guinness Six Nations clash and one for the women’s equivalent. The Solidarity / Solidarité Trophy will be presented for the first time when France host Ireland in the opening match of the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship on Thursday, February 5 in Paris.
An identical trophy will then be awarded following the Guinness Women’s Six Nations meeting between the two nations on April 25, also in France. Designed by renowned trophy maker Thomas Lyte – the same manufacturer behind the Six Nations Championship Trophy and the Rugby World Cup’s Webb Ellis Cup – the silver and gold-plated trophies feature a striking spiral design.
The motif symbolises connection, shared history and the enduring bond between the two rugby nations, who have long been fierce rivals on the field and close partners off it. The Ireland–France rivalry dates back to their first Six Nations meeting at Lansdowne Road in 1909 and has produced some of the competition’s most iconic moments.
From Brian O’Driscoll’s famous hat-trick in Paris in 2000 to France’s dramatic 20-17 win over Ireland at Croke Park in 2007, the fixture has repeatedly delivered high drama. In the women’s game, Ireland’s 13-10 victory in Dublin in 2017 and France’s hard-fought win in Belfast in 2025 stand out as recent classics.
Former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll, who was at the heart of some of the rivalry’s most memorable moments, welcomed the initiative:
“Ireland and France have shared some extraordinary moments on the rugby pitch over the years, moments that live long in the memory of players and supporters alike. The Solidarity Trophy is a powerful symbol of that rivalry and, more importantly, of the respect and friendship that underpins it. It’s a great addition to the game that we now have a trophy to celebrate everything that makes this fixture so special.”
French Ambassador to Ireland Céline Place highlighted the wider significance of the trophy, saying:
“France and Ireland are neighbours and close partners across business, innovation, and culture, with deep economic ties and growing collaboration between our companies and institutions. Rugby holds a special place in the relationship between our two countries, and when we meet on the rugby field, it is always more than a game!
“The Solidarity / Solidarité Trophy is a powerful expression of the friendship, trust, and shared ambition that continue to strengthen the links between us. It is also a particularly important milestone that this is the first trophy awarded in a Six Nations match not only between men’s teams, but also two women’s teams.”
IRFU President Dr John O’Driscoll said the trophy reflects the shared values between the two unions:
“The Solidarity / Solidarité Trophy reflects the deep and enduring relationship between Irish and French rugby, and between our two nations – a shared history, shared values, and a shared belief in rugby as a force for connection.
We are immensely proud to introduce a trophy that recognises one of the great rivalries in international rugby. It is also significant that the trophy is being awarded for both the men’s and women’s games. This is a statement of intent about the future we are building together through our sport.”
FFR President Florian Gill echoed those sentiments, stressing the importance of equality between the men’s and women’s games:
“Matches between France and Ireland have always represented the very best of international rugby, combining intensity with deep mutual respect. The Solidarity / Solidarité Trophy is a meaningful symbol of that relationship and of the shared values that unite our two countries and rugby communities.
We are particularly proud to see this trophy come to life and delighted that, for the first time, it will be awarded to the winners of the Six Nations fixtures in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
“This decision reflects the equal importance our two countries place on our male and female internationals alike. Deeply committed to the development and growth of women’s rugby, I see this as a strong statement — one that represents a united, inclusive game looking firmly to the future.”
With its dual focus on the men’s and women’s competitions, the Solidarity / Solidarité Trophy represents a new chapter in one of the Six Nations’ most compelling rivalries, reinforcing both its history and its future.
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