Saturday’s all right for Wales
Fixtures, announced today, pit Wales against each of their Six Nations opponents on the ‘traditional’ rugby day, with just two away trips – to England and Ireland – and three home matches.
“Our fans proved just what an important role they can play with their extremely vocal support during our victory over England in the final game of the Championship this year,” said WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis.
“We now have the chance to show Scotland, Italy and France just how intimidating the atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium can be next year.
“Our national stadium should be a fortress and teams will really begin to fear coming here if the fans continue to show their pride and passion in the way that only Welsh rugby fans can.
“The fixture list is always tough and we start away to England at Twickenham, but then we are straight back to the Millennium Stadium to welcome Scotland and a fortnight’s preparation follows before the visit of Italy.
“There’s another break before we travel to Ireland and then we finish with a massive game against France on our home turf. There’s a lot of rugby to be played between now and then and some extremely important matches on the horizon, but the 2008 RBS Six Nations Championship is a mouth-watering prospect already.”
Wales haven’t won at Twickenham since 1988. They also face a tricky trip to the home of the Triple Crown holders Ireland, a game that will be played at Croke Park for the first time. Yet Lewis believes the fixture list could count in Wales’s favour if the Millennium Stadium factor can be fully utilised.
“It’s easy to underestimate the influence of our great stadium, but it was there for all to see against England this year, when Wales returned home after six long weeks on the road,” he added.
“Of course, we start with a tough visit to Twickenham and we face England there this summer too.
“That game and the trials and tribulations of the World Cup campaign will set the tone for the 2008 RBS Six Nations meeting and there is plenty of rugby to be played before we get to that stage.”
The tournament reaches its climax for Wales on the second of two ‘Super Saturdays’ (March 15th), when reigning champions France visit the Millennium Stadium and all six teams will be in action.
“The dust has barely settled on one of the most exciting tournaments in recent history, yet we can now look forward in detail to the challenges of next year,” added RBS Six Nations’ Chairman, Jacques Laurans.
“Events have shown once again that this championship is incapable of prediction, and is a thoroughly competitive event from start to finish. Moreover, the fact that so many teams began their final games with a chance of winning outright augurs well for our nations’ prospects in the Rugby World Cup, which takes place later this year.”
2008 RBS Six Nations Dates
Matchday 1
Saturday February 2nd
Ireland v Italy (Croke Park) – 14:00
England v Wales (Twickenham) – 16:30
Sunday February 3rd
Scotland v France (Murrayfield) – 15:00
Matchday 2
Saturday February 9th
Wales v Scotland (Millennium Stadium) – 14:00
France v Ireland (Stade de France) – 16:00 (17:00 local)
Sunday February 10th
Italy v England (Stadio Flaminio) – 14:30 (15:30 local)
February 16th/17th – Rest Weekend
Matchday 3
Saturday February 23rd
Wales v Italy (Millennium Stadium) – 15:00
Ireland v Scotland (Croke Park) – 17:00
France v England (Stade de France) – 20:00 (21:00 local)
March 1st/2nd – Rest Weekend
Matchday 4
Saturday March 8th
Ireland v Wales (Croke Park) – 13:15
Scotland v England (Murrayfield) – 15:15
Sunday March 9th
France v Italy (Stade de France) – 15:00 (16:00 local)
Matchday 5
Saturday March 15th
Italy v Scotland (Stadio Flaminio) – 13:00 (14:00 local)
England v Ireland (Twickenham) – 15:00
Wales v France (Millennium Stadium) – 17:00
