The 2024 Six Nations championship fixtures have been announced but the precise venue for the blockbuster opening fixture between France and Ireland has still to be confirmed. Preparations for the Olympic Games later in the year mean the Stade de France in Paris cannot stage any Six Nations matches, with Les Bleus’ three home games likely to be moved to the south of France instead.
Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome played host to last autumn’s Test against South Africa with 62,500 fans in attendance, while Toulouse is another possible alternative. Barcelona’s Camp Nou also staged the French Top 14 final in 2016. Final confirmation of the chosen destinations is not expected for a few more weeks.
(Kick-off times all GMT)
Fri 2 Feb France v Ireland 8pm
Sat 3 Feb Italy v England 2.15pm, Wales v Scotland 4.45pm
Sat 10 Feb Scotland v France 2.15pm, England v Wales 4.45pm
Sun 11 Feb Ireland v Italy 3pm
Sat 24 Feb Ireland v Wales 2.15pm, Scotland v England 4.45pm
Sun 25 Feb France v Italy 3pm
Sat 9 Mar Italy v Scotland 2.15pm, England v Ireland 4.15pm
Sun 10 Mar Wales v France 3pm
Sat 16 Mar Wales v Italy 2.15pm, Ireland v Scotland 4.45pm, France v England 8pm
The France v Ireland game on 2 February will be the tournament’s solitary Friday night fixture, with England’s five games all scheduled to take place on Saturdays. England’s campaign will kick off in Rome on 3 February and also include a round three visit to Edinburgh before two tricky concluding fixtures, as this season, against Ireland and France within the space of eight days.
The concluding “Super Saturday” on 16 March will also see Ireland host Scotland and Wales face Italy. The championship will be kicking off barely three months after the conclusion of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, meaning some teams – including August warm-up games – could end up playing as many as 16 Test matches within eight months prior to embarking on a subsequent July tour.
