IT was confirmed today by the Six Nations that the 2011 championship will for the first time in the Championship's history kick off on a Friday on February 4 with Wales v England in Cardiff.
The final weekend of the 2011 championship should again provide plenty of excitement with Scotland v Italy, Ireland v England and France v Wales.
Next year will also see the Irish team return to their traditional home in Lansdowne Road at the new Aviva Stadium after four seasons in their adopted home of Croke Park.
David Pickering, chairman of the Six Nations Council, said: "The RBS 6 Nations Championship remains the envy of the rugby world, a tournament played with pride and passion and drenched in history and tradition."
The 2011 RBS 6 Nations dates are: Friday 4th February - Wales v England - 7.45pm, Saturday 5th February - Italy v Ireland - 2.30pm, Saturday 5th February - France v Scotland - 5pm
Saturday 12th February - England v Italy - 2.30pm, Scotland v Wales - 5pm, Sunday 13th February - Ireland v France - 3pm
Saturday 26th February - Italy v Wales - 2.30pm, England v France - 5pm, Sunday 27th February - Scotland v Ireland - 3pm
Saturday 12th March - Italy v France - 2.30pm, Wales v Ireland - 5pm, Sunday 13th March - England v Scotland - 3pm
Saturday 19th March - Scotland v Italy - 2.30pm, Ireland v England - 5pm, France v Wales - 7.45pm
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article