Six Nations Championship: Ireland will play John Kirwan's Italy at Lansdowne Road in their opening fixture in next year's Six Nations Championship, before facing into what might be the squad's toughest match of the series against France in Paris seven days later.
The Six Nations draw, which was made yesterday, then gives Eddie O'Sullivan's team a two-week break before they meet Wales on Sunday, February 26th. It is the only Sunday match Ireland have drawn.
Scotland, who have won only three matches from their last 17 under Matt Williams, and earned just two points this season in the championship, then come to Lansdowne Road on March 11th.
The conclusion of the championship will again be a super Saturday event on March 18th. Italy will play Scotland in Rome, followed by Grand Slam champions Wales hosting France at the Millennium Stadium. The day will finish with the match between England and Ireland at Twickenham.
Wales face a serious test of their credentials on the first weekend when they play England at Twickenham, while Scotland entertain France in Edinburgh for their opener.
"We recently concluded yet another fine RBS Six Nations tournament," said Jacques Laurans, chairman of the series. "Contrary to all the predictions, 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 2006 will prove to be even half as exciting."
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) and the Six Nations Committee also agreed yesterday to continue with the title sponsorship of the championship for a further four years. The agreement, which runs up to and including 2009, represents the largest commercial partnership in European rugby history. RBS's initial three-year agreement ran from 2003 up to and including this year's championship.
Meanwhile, an Ireland squad of 26 has been named for the Under-19 World Championship in Durban, South Africa, which begins next month.
Ireland, who are in Division A of the competition, play Georgia in their opening game on April 1st, before a tough second game against the hosts four days later. Ireland close their first round fixtures against Australia on April 9th.
IRELAND U19 SQUAD: Callum Black (Hartpury), Dale Black (Portadown), Robert Boles (Colstons Collegiate School), Darren Cave (Sullivan Upper School), Greg Cooney (Old Belvedere), Frank Daly (Thomond), Matthew D'Arcy (Dublin University), Daniel Dawson (Cooke), Kevin Griffin (Shannon), Robert Kearney (UCD) Diarmuid Laffen (Dublin University), Killian Lett (UCD), Brendan Lynch (Rotherham), Fergus McFadden (Clongowes), David McGowan (Buccaneers), Eric Moloney (UCC), Conor Muldoon (Galwegians), Barry O'Mahony (Crescent College), Gavin O'Meara (Lansdowne), Darren O'Reilly (Blackrock College), Evan Ryan (UCC), Adrian Saunderson (Ballyclare), David Sherry (Ard Scoil Ris), Devon Toner (Lansdowne), Fergal Walsh (UCC), Gary Walsh (UL Bohemians): Coach: Pat Murray. Assistant Coach: Bryan Hyland. Manager: Michael Cunningham.
Six Nations 2006
February 4th-5th
Saturday: IRELAND v Italy 1.30pm, England v Wales 3.30pm. Sunday: Scotland v France 3pm.
February 11th-12th
Saturday: France v IRELAND 1.30pm, Italy v England 4pm. Sunday: Wales v Scotland 3pm.
February 25th-26th
Saturday: France v Italy 2pm, Scotland v England 5.30pm. Sunday: IRELAND v Wales 3pm.
March 11th-12th
Saturday: Wales v Italy 1.30pm, IRELAND v Scotland 3.30pm. Sunday: France v England 3pm.
March 18th-19th
Saturday: Italy v Scotland 1.30pm, Wales v France 3.30pm, England v IRELAND 5.30pm.
