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.