Six Nations Championship Fixtures Confirmed For 2018 And 2019

‘Rugby’s greatest Championship’ will take place over seven weekends in 2018, beginning on Saturday, February 3 and finishing with a Championship ‘Super Saturday’ on March 17.

The 2019 Championship will begin on Friday, February 1 and conclude on Saturday, March 16.

Wales and Scotland get things underway next year in Cardiff on Saturday, February 3, with Ireland also travelling to Paris that day to begin their campaign against France. Back-to-back Championship winners England will then begin their tilt at a third straight title on Sunday, February 4 in Italy.

England and Wales will renew their rivalry in round 2, while Ireland welcome Italy, and Scotland look to avenge 2017’s defeat to France at BT Murrayfield.

A Friday evening clash for the Giuseppe Garibaldi trophy between France and Italy kicks off round 3. For the first time ever, this fixture will take place outside of Paris. A venue for this match will be announced in the next few week.

The Calcutta Cup will be contested between England and Scotland in Edinburgh, and Ireland and Wales play out a potentially crucial clash in Dublin.

The Centenary Quaich will be on the line again as Ireland host Scotland in round 4, with the Scots defending that trophy after dramatically winning 2017’s encounter in Edinburgh. England will travel to France for ‘Le Crunch’, and Wales welcome Italy the following day.

As has been the case so often before, the Championship title could well be on the line on Super Saturday, March 17.

Italy and Scotland get things underway in Rome at 12.30pm, before Twickenham hosts a repeat of the final game from the 2017 Championship as England lock horns with Ireland in a critical encounter which could see the Millennium trophy, the Triple Crown and possibly the Championship at stake.

Wales against France in Cardiff at 5pm will round off next year’s tournament, and the 2018 Six Nations champions will be crowned immediately after that match.

“We are delighted to confirm the fixture dates for the 2018 Championship, coming shortly after a record-breaking 2017 edition,” said Six Nations Rugby Chairman Pat Whelan. “We enjoyed record figures across TV and digital and look forward to continuing that trend over the next two seasons.”

The 2019 Championship will begin on the weekend of February 1/2, and will run until March 16. Both the 2018 and 2019 Championships will continue to see rest weeks after rounds 2 and 3 as in previous years.

2018 SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP:

All kick-off times GMT –

Round 1 – February 3/4:

Wales v Scotland, Saturday, 2.15pm
France v Ireland, Saturday, 4.45pm
Italy v England, Sunday, 3pm

Round 2 – February 10/11:

Ireland v Italy, Saturday, 2.15pm
England v Wales, Saturday, 4.45pm
Scotland v France, Sunday, 3pm

Round 3 – February 23/24:

France v Italy, Friday, 8pm *
Ireland v Wales, Saturday, 2.15pm
Scotland v England, Saturday, 4.45pm

Round 4 – March 10/11:

Ireland v Scotland, Saturday, 2.15pm
France v England, Saturday, 4.45pm
Wales v Italy, Sunday, 3pm

Round 5 – March 17:

Italy v Scotland, Saturday, 12.30pm
England v Ireland, Saturday, 2.45pm
Wales v France, Saturday, 5pm

* The match venue will be announced at a later stage

2019 SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP:

All kick-off times GMT –

Round 1 – February 1/2:

France v Wales, Friday, 8pm
Scotland v Italy, Saturday, 2.15pm
Ireland v England, Saturday, 4.45pm

Round 2 – February 9/10:

Scotland v Ireland, Saturday, 2.15pm
Italy v Wales, Saturday, 4.45pm
England v France, Sunday, 3pm

Round 3 – February 23/24:

France v Scotland, Saturday, 2.15pm
Wales v England, Saturday, 4.45pm
Italy v Ireland, Sunday, 3pm

Round 4 – March 9/10:

Scotland v Wales, Saturday, 2.15pm
England v Italy, Saturday, 4.45pm
Ireland v France, Sunday, 3pm

Round 5 – March 16:

Italy v France, Saturday, 12.30pm
Wales v Ireland, Saturday, 2.45pm
England v Scotland, Saturday, 5pm