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