Ireland to travel to Rome for Six Nations opener

THE schedule of matches for the 2005 RBS 6 Nations reveals that next year’s championship will begin at the Stade de France on February 5.

The tournament champions, France, will host Scotland, and will conclude on March 19, when all six nations will compete in another ‘Super Saturday’.

Immediately after the curtain-raiser in Paris, world champions England will meet Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, and the following day Italy will play host to Ireland.

The final match of the tournament will be played out at Twickenham between England and Scotland.

Jacques Laurans, 6 Nations chairman, said: “We recently concluded yet another fine RBS 6 Nations tournament.

“Contrary to all the predictions beforehand, this was not a championship which was decided by the final whistle of the first match.

“In reality, it hung in the balance until the very last moment. I hope that 2005 will prove to be even half as exciting.”

In the meantime, the rugby football unions of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales have, after months of consultation, debate and negotiation, agreed and signed a constitution which will provide the future framework for the championship.

The constitution replaces both the 1996 Regulations of the Five Nations Committee and the Five Nations Accord of the same year.

For the first time, it formally recognises the involvement of Italy in the tournament, and provides for a new structure for the pooling and sharing of income.

Chief executive John Feehan said: “This is a very important moment for the 6 Nations. The constitution provides us for the first time with a commercial and organisational structure which is worthy of the greatest annual rugby tournament in the world and which is appropriate to the needs and opportunities of the professional era.”