Irish open Grand Slam bid away to France

IRELAND, beaten in this season’s Grand Slam decider in Dublin, will not get a similar chance against either of the top-notch favourites in next season’s RBS Six Nations Championship.

The final action of the competition has been reserved for a Stade de France showdown between France and England on March 27, although Ireland have been allocated a special day to kick off their participation in the tournament.

The 2004 Championship will begin and end in Paris, and this season’s runners-up Ireland start the campaign with a Valentine’s Day pairing against France.