Fans who hadn’t left their sofa to make a drink were treated to a special sight: the unveiling of the trailer for the highly-anticipated second season of Six Nations: Full Contact (which you can watch here). Slated for release in early 2025, this latest instalment promises an even deeper dive into the lives of the people who bring the drama of one of the world’s greatest sporting tournaments to life. The series captures the stories behind the scores – raw, unfiltered, and deeply personal.
While the trailer released on Friday offered some glimpses of what’s to come in season 2, below is an overview of just some of the characters letting us into their lives as they seek to create lasting memories in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations.
Nolann Le Garrec (France)
How does it feel to step into the boots of the best player in the world? At only 21 years of age during this year’s Championship, a then-uncapped Le Garrec was among the two scrum-halves tasked with doing just that in the absence of the iconic Antoine Dupont. The series will depict Le Garrec adapting to life in the French squad, while, as with all the other cast members, shedding light on his life outside of rugby.
Marcus Smith/George Ford (England)
One of the most exciting stars in world rugby, Harlequins playmaker Smith is one of those individuals helping to broaden rugby’s appeal through his style (both on and off the field). Competing for his England number ten jersey is Sale’s George Ford, who has proved himself on many occasions to be a world-class fly-half in his own right. Expect to see the dynamic of that competitor/teammate relationship play out between the pair.
Niccolò and Lorenzo Cannone (Italy)
To describe these Italian brothers as characterful would be an understatement. Lorenzo, the back rower, and Niccolò, the second rower, are part of an Azzurri pack that’s about as fiery as it gets in Test rugby. Seeing this new generation of Italian rugby through their eyes promises to be a fascinating experience – especially in an unparalleled campaign for the Italians under new head coach Gonzalo Quesada (who also features in the series).
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England)
Young winger Feyi-Waboso burst onto the rugby scene amid speculation about which country he would represent: Wales, where he was born and raised, or England, where he was given his rugby lifeline at Exeter Chiefs? Since opting for the Red Rose, the 21-year-old has proved his precocious Test match credentials, not least in scoring three tries in three consecutive encounters with the All Blacks. But how easily did he take to the international environment, and all that it entails?
Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
One of the most experienced cast members in season 2, 35-year-old Peter O’Mahony has experienced the staggering highs and crushing lows of Test rugby. For Ireland recently, it’s been more about the highs, and O’Mahony looks likely to reveal what it takes to thrive in such a world-leading high performance environment. A natural leader of men, viewers will get to enjoy the contrast between the two sides of the back rower: a man known as “War God” on the pitch, and the O’Mahony who is a keen gardener off it.
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
Up there with the most feared players in the game, and a particular scourge of the English, Duhan van der Merwe lets the cameras in to see what makes his country’s record try-scorer tick. There is more to the hulking winger than meets the eye, of course, and Van der Merwe’s storyline looks set to reveal just what that is.
George North (Wales)
A bona fide icon of the Welsh game, George North has been a walking highlights reel ever since bursting onto the scene with a try-scoring debut against South Africa at just 18 years old. With the climax of his Test career in sight, North decided the 2024 Championship would be his swansong. After over a century of appearances for his country, the audience will get to see the emotions and motivations of a man who has given his all for his country.
Six Nations: Full Contact season 2 will be released in early 2025.
