Wales Face England Opener

By Lestyn
May 6 2004

Continued experimentation with the Six Nations schedule, has handed Wales the mouth watering prospect of kicking next years Six Nations off at home to England at the Millenium Stadium.

Provisional dates had indicated Mike Ruddocks' first ever championship game in charge of Wales would be a tricky trip to Rome trying to avoid the horrendous defeat of two years earlier, however a much revised confirmed list pits Ruddock with a date against World champions England, with the Azzuri a week after.

Clive Woodward will lead his team to Cardiff on February 5th, a Saturday no doubt to the relief of fans. Unfortunately though the meddling TV men could not resist completely, with a half-past five kick off. The match had been originally scheduled for the second, due events at the stadium.

"It is a great fixture schedule for Wales and we have a fantastic opening fixture," said WRU chief executive David Moffett.

"We will be looking forward to taking on the world champions at the Millennium Stadium and the closing game against the Triple Crown holders will also be something special. "We also have a rest weekend following away trips to Italy and France which have landed nicely.

"And the WRU greatly appreciates the assistance given by the Six Nations committee in resolving early difficulties with scheduling at the Millennium Stadium."

In 2004 Supporters were left out in the cold by Arriva and Great Western , after they some how managed deem it too "dangerous" to run trains so late, for so many passengers. This time though Millennium Stadium general manager Paul Sergeant believes everything will run smoothly this time around.

"The games against England and Ireland will be among the biggest events of the year at the Millennium Stadium and we have already contacted all our partners on the Stadium Advisory Group to ensure that every aspect of the occasion is considered,"

"We have opened talks with Arriva Trains Wales and Great Western Trains to try to streamline travel arrangements for our customers and, with 10 months to go to the first big day, we are confident of hosting two more great events in the Welsh capital to everyone's satisfaction." Said Sergeant.

Sunday rugby does unfortunately raise it's ugly head for Wales, with the traditional Edinburgh trip all but ruined with the match on the penultimate Sabbath. Super Saturday continues, albeit with a not-so manufactured finale this time out, with Wales yet again looking to end their Ireland in Cardiff hoodoo.

The Championship will also be operating in what they believe to be a far fairer manner, with Italy finally being recognised by the tournaments' constitution, doing away with the accord originally set in 1996. Affectively income will now be pooled and structured equally.

Fixtures:

Week 1
Saturday 5 February
France v Scotland 14:00 (15:00 local)
Wales v England 17:30
Sunday 6 February Italy v Ireland 14:30 (15:30 local)

Week 2
Saturday 12 February
Italy v Wales 13:30 (14:30 local)
Scotland v Ireland 16:00
Sunday 13 February England v France 15:00

Week 3
Saturday 26 February
Scotland v Italy 14:00
France v Wales 16:00 (17:00 local)
Sunday 27 February Ireland v England 15:00

Week 4 Saturday 12 March
Ireland v France 13:30
England v Italy 16:00
Sunday 13 March
Scotland v Wales 15:00

Week 5 Saturday 19 March
Italy v France 13:00 (14:00 local)
Wales v Ireland 15:30
England v Scotland 18:00