Six Nations - 2004 fixtures: Ireland face a tough introduction to their 2004 Six Nations campaign when they take on France in Paris in their opening game on February 14th.
Competition organisers are hoping for a repeat of the final game of this season's campaign, when Ireland lost to England in a winner-takes-all encounter at Lansdowne Road.
This year, however, organisers are focusing on France's game against England on the last day of the championship on March 27th. The match in Stade de France is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. Irish time, four hours after Ireland's final game of the series kicks off against Scotland at Lansdowne Road. Billed as "Super Saturday", Wales will entertain Italy at 2 p.m. in the day's other game.
There was criticism of this year's championship when France, who had completed the 2002 Grand Slam, played England at Twickenham in the opening match of the season.
The two countries are Europe's top sides and the winner was expected to romp to the title. However Ireland achieved a breakthrough when they beat France in Dublin and set up their own Grand Slam showdown with England.
Ireland begin their campaign in the Stade de France on Saturday, February 14th, and host Wales at home in a Sunday fixture eight days later. After a two-week break, they travel to Twickenham on Saturday, March 6th, and take on Italy at Lansdowne Road the following week.
After another two-week break, Ireland's final match of the season takes place at Lansdowne Road against the Scots.
Sunday rugby again figures prominently in 2004. Apart from Ireland's home fixture with Wales, the Sunday schedule also includes England's trip to Italy, Wales versus France and Scotland versus France.
"In planning the fixture schedule for 2004, our aim has been to build on the success of this year's tournament, which was the most widely-viewed of recent times," said Six Nations committee chairman Jacques Laurans.
"Television audiences were up from 75 million to 95 million, with the Grand Slam-deciding final match between Ireland and England attracting an audience share in Britain of more than 50 per cent.
"The 2004 Championship promises even greater interest, coming as it does hard on the heels of the Rugby World Cup. I suspect there may be a score or two to settle by the time the Six Nations comes along."
Six Nations chief executive John Feehan added: "The seven-week format for the tournament, introduced for the first time this year, has been judged by most commentators to have been a great success.
"Designed to replicate the concentrated playing period of a Rugby World Cup, its effect has been to give the Six Nations an added sense of momentum and excitement."
Saturday, February 14th
France v Ireland (2.0).
Wales v Scotland (4.0).
Sunday, February 15th
Italy v England (3.0).
Saturday, February 21st
France v Italy (2.0).
Scotland v England (5.30).
Sunday, February 22nd
Ireland v Wales (3.0).
SATURDAY, MARCH 6TH
Italy v Scotland (1.30).
England v Ireland (4.0).
Sunday, March 7th
Wales v France (3pm).
Saturday, March 20th
Ireland v Italy (1.30)
England v Wales (4.0).
SUNDAY MARCH 21st
Scotland v France (3.0).
Saturday, March 27th
Wales v Italy (2.0).
Ireland v Scotland (4.0)
France v England (8.0).
