2020 Six Nations fixtures reveal who Pivac and Farrell face in their opening matches
Wayne Pivac’s first match in charge of Wales will be in Cardiff against Italy, while Andy Farrell’s first game at the helm in Ireland is a showdown in Dublin versus Scotland.
This follows the announcement on Wednesday morning by the Six Nations committee of the fixtures for the 2020 and 2021 Guinness Six Nations championships.
Following on from last Saturday’s compelling conclusion of the 2019 championship won by Wales, fans have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of fixtures for the next two years.
Not only will Wales and Ireland be at home on opening weekend in 2020 with their new coaches in charge in place of the departing Warren Gatland and Joe Schmidt, England will travel to Paris to play France on the Sunday.
Super Saturday 2020 will take place on March 14, starting with Wales v Scotland and for the first time the final match of Super Saturday will be on prime time with France v Ireland at 8pm (GMT).
(Continue reading below…)
The 2021 championship will start on February 6 with Italy v France and finish on March 20 with France v Wales, again at 8pm (GMT).
Commenting on the announcement, Six Nations CEO Ben Morel said : “We’ve got exciting plans for the future of the Guinness Six Nations, and this announcement is a key building block.
Get planning! ?
We are delighted to announce the #GuinnessSixNations 2020 and 2021 Fixtures. https://t.co/T2Nt9h9jWN
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 20, 2019
“As Super Saturday 2019 proved, the drama and spectacle a Guinness Six Nations creates is unique in the sporting world. Other unforgettable occasions this championship season such as the clash of Ireland and England in round one and Wales v England in round three will also live long in the memory.
“The 2019 championship gave us a stunning finale with three teams competing for the title on the final weekend, a brilliant Grand Slam winner, and a unique Calcutta Cup match to finish the championship off.
“We look forward to developing the championship in partnership with our unions, sponsors and most importantly of all our fans over the coming years, and to the next two years of the Guinness Six Nations championship generating even more excitement than the 2019 edition.”
2020 SIX NATIONS
Feb 1: Wales v Italy (2.15pm), Ireland v Scotland (4.45pm);
Feb 2: France v England (3.0pm);
Feb 8: Ireland v Wales (2.15pm), Scotland v England (4.45pm);
Feb 9: France v Italy (3.0pm);
Feb 22: Italy v Scotland (2.15pm), Wales v France (4.45pm);
Feb 23: England v Ireland (3.0pm);
Mar 7: Ireland v Italy (2.15pm), England v Wales (4.45pm);
Mar 8: Scotland v France (3.0pm);
Mar 14: Wales v Scotland (2.15pm), Italy v England (4.45pm), France v Ireland (8.0pm)
2021 SIX NATIONS
Feb 6: Italy v France (2.15pm), England v Scotland (4.45pm);
Feb 7: Wales v Ireland (3.0pm);
Feb 13: England v Italy (2.15pm), Scotland v Wales (4.45pm);
Feb 14: Ireland v France (3.opm);
Feb 27: Italy v Ireland (2.15pm), Wales v England (4.45pm);
Feb 28: France v Scotland (3.0pm);
Mar 13: Italy v Wales (2.15pm), England v France (4.45pm);
Mar 14: Scotland v Ireland (3.0pm);
Mar 20: Scotland v Italy (2.15pm), Ireland v England (4.45pm), France v Wales (8.0pm)
(all times GMT)