Late Late Display Pauses Broadcast for Six Nations Clash

Viewers of RTÉ’s The Late Late Show will witness a change to the regular schedule this Friday, March 6, 2026, as the program takes a break to accommodate live coverage of the Six Nations rugby match between Ireland and Wales. The decision allows RTÉ to broadcast the highly anticipated game, beginning at 7:00 PM on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player [RTÉ].

Rugby Takes Center Stage

An RTÉ spokesperson confirmed that the scheduling change is to allow fans to watch Ireland compete against Wales at the Aviva Stadium. Ireland has not lost a home match to Wales in the Six Nations since 2012 [Irish Examiner].

Return to Regular Programming and St. Patrick’s Day Special

The Late Late Show will resume its regular Friday night slot on March 13, 2026, with a special episode themed around St. Patrick’s Day. In place of the usual talk show this Friday, RTÉ One will air the romantic comedy It’s Complicated, starring Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin, at 9:35 PM [Irish Examiner].

Previous Scheduling Adjustments

This is not the first instance of The Late Late Show adjusting its schedule. The program did not air on Decent Friday in 2023, and RTÉ has confirmed it will also not be broadcast on Good Friday this year, April 3 [Irish Examiner].

Recent Guests

Last week’s episode of The Late Late Show featured Oscar-nominated actor Jessie Buckley, golfer Padraig Harrington, and a tribute to the late Hugh Wallace, a judge on Home of the Year [Irish Examiner].