Ireland kick-off with visit to Rome

IRISH rugby fans will have to travel for the opening RBS 6 Nations game next year, with Italy hosting the men in green on February 5.

The first Six Nations game in the Aviva Stadium will be a Sunday game against France on February 13, while Ireland will finish their campaign with a home clash with England.

The tournament kicks off on a Friday night, February 4, for the first time, when Wales host England, a move welcomed by Wales coach Warren Gatland: “It’s a fantastic draw, with the first game being England at home on a Friday night, which is exciting. We’ve had Friday night fixtures for a couple of years now but it’s still an exciting new innovation for the tournament.

“It may take some time to settle in as far as supporters are concerned but, personally, I would find it quite exciting as you can make an evening of it at your local rugby club, make it a real occasion then have the weekend to play games or do other things.

“People are still getting used to it and there will be some objections but I think it’s good for the tournament.”

France face the Scots in their opener in Paris on Saturday, February 5.

The first RBS 6 Nations game in Aviva Stadium will take place a little over a week later on Sunday, February 13, with France as the opposition. There is a free weekend after that before the tournament resumes with Ireland again playing on a Sunday, in Edinburgh against Scotland.

Another free week in March is followed by a Saturday evening trip to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to play Wales.

The final day of the Championship sees Scotland at home to Italy and France at home to Wales either side of Ireland’s last game, an evening kick off against England in Aviva Stadium.