The fixtures for the 2009 RBS 6 Nations championship were announced today (Thursday) and Ireland will open their campaign against France at Croke Park on Saturday, February 7 (kick-off 5pm).

Ireland have one Sunday game in 2009. It will be a Valentine’s weekend in Rome as Ireland face Italy on Sunday, February 15 with a 2.30pm kick-off time.

There is a free weekend on the 21st and 22nd of February and then the following Saturday, the men in green will host England at Croke Park. Next up is Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, March 14.

Ireland will have mostly late kick-offs with the games against France and Scotland at 5pm while the England match and Ireland’s last fixture, in Cardiff against Wales, will both start at 5.30pm.

The encounter with Wales will also be the final game of the 2009 championship.

The 2009 Six Nations is also notable for the first Friday night game in the tournament’s history as the game between France and Wales has been set for Friday, February 27 at the Stade de France.

Ireland Fixtures

Ireland v France – Croke Park, Saturday, February 7, kick-off 5pm

Italy v Ireland – Stadio Flaminio, Sunday, February 15, kick-off 2.30pm

Ireland v England – Croke Park, Saturday, Februay 28, kick-off 5.30pm

Scotland v Ireland – Murrayfield, Saturday, March 14, kick-off 5pm

Wales v Ireland – Millennium Stadium, Saturday, March 21, kick-off 5.30pm

Full Fixtures

2009 RBS 6 NATIONS
(All kick-offs GMT)

Week 1:

Saturday, February 7
England v Italy – 3.00pm
Ireland v France – 5.00pm

Sunday, February 8
Scotland v Wales – 3.00pm

Week 2:

Saturday, February 14
France v Scotland – 3.00pm
Wales v England – 5.30pm

Sunday, February 15
Italy v Ireland – 2.30pm

Week 3:

February 21-22 – Free

Week 4:

Friday, February 27
France v Wales – 8.00pm

Saturday, February 28
Scotland v Italy – 3.00pm
Ireland v England – 5.30pm

Week 5:

March 7-8 – Free

Week 6:

Saturday, March 14
Italy v Wales – 3.00pm
Scotland v Ireland – 5.00pm

Sunday, March 15
England v France – 3.00pm

Week 7:

Saturday, March 21 
Italy v France – 1.15pm
England v Scotland – 3.30pm
Wales v Ireland – 5.30pm