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.