Ireland to open 2005 6 Nations with two away ties
Triple Crown winners Ireland open with two away games to Italy and Scotland in 2005 RBS 6 Nations campaign.
The championship will open with title-holders France playing host to Scotland in the Stade de France on February 5, with Wales taking on England later on the same day.
The following day Italy host Ireland to complete the first round of matches.
The 2005 championship will conclude on March 19 when all six teams compete in another ‘Super Saturday’.
Ireland's final game of the tournament will be a tough trip to the Millenium Stadium to face Wales.
Jacques Laurans, Six Nations chairman, said: “We recently concluded yet another fine RBS 6 Nations tournament.
“Contrary to all the predictions beforehand, this was not a championship which was decided by the final whistle of the first match. In reality, it hung in the balance until the very last moment. I hope that 2005 will prove to be even half as exciting.”
The six countries have also agreed a new constitution which will form the future framework of the championship.
The constitution replaces both the 1996 Regulations of the Five Nations Committee and the Five Nations Accord of the same year and for the first time formally recognises the involvement of Italy in the tournament, and provides for a new structure for the pooling and sharing of income.
Chief executive John Feehan said: “This is a very important moment for the Six Nations. The constitution provides us for the first time with a commercial and organisational structure which is worthy of the greatest annual rugby tournament in the world and which is appropriate to the needs and opportunities of the professional era.”
Among the changes are the appointment for the first time of a deputy chairman/honorary treasurer, with former England captain Bill Beaumont the first to take up the post.
Laurans added: “The signing of a new constitution for the Six Nations Committee is a very important moment for the championship.
“It has enabled us to build significantly on our great legacy, and yet leave behind us the temporary arrangements which were put in place at times of strife or opportunity.
“This constitution, which has been debated exhaustively, represents the coming together in harmony of six partners. With this base, we can now move on to even greater things.”
RBS 6 Nations Championship 2005 fixtures
(all times Irish times)
Saturday, February 5 : France v Scotland 1400, Wales v England 1730
Sunday, February 6: Italy v Ireland 1430
Saturday, February 12: Italy v Wales 1330, Scotland v Ireland 1600
Sunday, February 13: England v France 1500
Saturday, February 26: Scotland v Italy 1400, France v Wales 1600
Sunday, February 27: Ireland v England 1500
Saturday, March 12: Ireland v France 1330, England v Italy 1600
Sunday, March 13: Scotland v Wales 1500
Saturday, March 19: Italy v France 1300, Wales v Ireland 1530, England v Scotland 1800
