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Six Nations

2011 Six Nations Dates Confirmed

It has been announced that the 2011 RBS 6 Nations Championship will for the first time in the Championship's history kick off on a Friday on the 4th February with Wales v England in Cardiff. The Schedule was finalised with a view to showcasing this fantastic fixture and make this great Rugby occasion available to as many people as possible.

The 2010 Championship was again a huge success with a fantastic finale in Paris witnessed by a record French TV audience.

The final weekend of the 2011 Championship should again provide plenty of excitement with 3 exhilarating fixtures (Scotland v Italy, Ireland v England and France v Wales).

In yet another exciting development 2011 will also see the Irish team return to their traditional home in Lansdowne Road at the new Aviva Stadium after 4 wonderful seasons in their adopted home of Croke Park.

David Pickering, Chairman of the Six Nations Council, said: "The RBS 6 Nations Championship remains the envy of the rugby world, a tournament played with pride and passion and drenched in history and tradition".

The 2011 RBS 6 Nations dates are:

RBS Six Nations Fixture Schedule 2011
All UK time - Add 1 hour for France and Italy

Friday 4th February - Wales v England - 7.45pm
Saturday 5th February - Italy v Ireland - 2.30pm
Saturday 5th February - France v Scotland - 5pm

Saturday 12th February - England v Italy - 2.30pm
Saturday 12th February - Scotland v Wales - 5pm
Sunday 13th February - Ireland v France - 3pm

19/20 February Free

Saturday 26th February - Italy v Wales - 2.30pm
Saturday 26th February - England v France - 5pm
Sunday 27th February - Scotland v Ireland - 3pm

5/6 March Free

Saturday 12th March - Italy v France - 2.30pm
Saturday 12th March - Wales v Ireland - 5pm
Sunday 13th March - England v Scotland - 3pm

Saturday 19th March - Scotland v Italy - 2.30pm
Saturday 19th March - Ireland v England - 5pm
Saturday 19th March - France v Wales - 7.45pm

2010 Six Nations Review

France Secure Grand Slam

France proved to be the team of the RBS Six Nations in 2010. Les Bleu secured the Grand Slam by beating England in their final outing.
Ireland on the other hand, narrowly missed out on a Triple Crown after Scotland ended their hopes in Croke Park in the last game. It was Scotland's first win of the tournament, having previously thrown away a 10 point lead against Wales in a game they should have won. Scotland then let England come back into the game and that one ended in a draw, however against Ireland, it all came together for the Scotts and they got their well deserved victory.

U20s secure Six Nations

The Senior team may have struggled to live up to the previous seasons achievements, however for the U20's they carried the Irish flag and took the top honours in the Under 20 Six Nations. It all came down to the final game and with England still within a mathematical chance and although they did manage to beat France, Ireland secured the title on points difference.

Womens Six Nations

England women secured the Womens Grand Slam setting out their marker with the Womens World Cup looming on the horizon.
Meanwhile, Ireland Women under the guidance of Kevin West who was in his first season as head coach, finished a credible third, continuing their steady progress and development.

Click here for Ireland v Italy match report
Click here for Ireland v France match report
Click here for Ireland v England match report
Click here for Ireland v Wales match report
Click here for Ireland v Scotland match report

Meanwhile the Wolfhounds (Ireland A), Women and Under 20s also got their respective campaigns off to fantastic winning starts.

Click here to view Wolfhounds match report
Click here to view the Womens match report
Click here to view the U20s match report