Fixtures for 2018 and 2019 Six Nations Championships announced

Scotland will face Wales in Cardiff to open the 2018 Six Nations Championships after fixtures for the tournament and the 2019 edition were released.

Scotland's Huw Jones in action against Wales' Rhys Webb. Pic: SNS/Ross Parker

The Scots will kick off the championship on Saturday 3 February with a 2.15pm kick-off at the Millenium Stadium.

Scotland defeated the Welsh 29-13 at a packed Murrayfield Stadium in February on their way to finishing fourth in the 2017 standing, above their opponents in the standings and tied on 14 points with second-placed Ireland.

Scotland are afforded the chance to avenge their thumping 61-21 defeat to England in week three when they welcome their rivals for the Calcutta Cup to Edinburgh on Saturday 24 February.

Tim Visser in action for Scotland against England. Pic: SNS/Bill Murray

Week two sees France come to the capital before Scotland finish the campaign with trips to Dublin, where they will hope to defence the Centenary Quaich won in Edinburgh this year, and Rome for Super Saturday on 17 March.

Italy and Scotland get things underway at 12.30pm, before Twickenham hosts a repeat of the final game from the 2017 championship, as England lock horns with Ireland in a critical encounter which could see the Millennium Trophy, the Triple Crown and possibly the Championship at stake.

The 2019 edition kicks off on 2 February with a home tie against Italy before it concludes with a visit to Twickenham on 16 March for Super Saturday with a 5pm kick-off.

Pat Wheland, Six Nations Rugby chairman, said: “We are delighted to confirm the fixture dates for the 2018 Championship, coming shortly after a record breaking 2017 edition. We enjoyed record figures across TV and digital and look forward to continuing that trend over the next two seasons.”

Tim Visser in action for Scotland against England. Pic: SNS/Bill Murray

Both the 2018 and 2019 Championships will continue to see rest weeks after rounds two and three as in previous years.

SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 FIXTURES IN FULL

Round one

Saturday 3 February

Wales v Scotland (2.15pm)

France v Ireland (4.45pm)

Sunday 4 February

Italy v England (3pm)

Round two

Saturday 10 February

Ireland v Italy (2.15pm)

England v Wales (4.45pm)

Sunday 11 February

Scotland v France (3pm)

Round three

Friday 23 February

France v Italy (8pm)

Saturday 24 February

Ireland v Wales (2.15pm)

Scotland v England (4.45pm)

Round four

Saturday 10 March

Ireland v Scotland (2.15pm)

France v England (4.45pm)

Sunday 11 March

Wales v Italy (3pm)

Round five

Saturday 17 March

Italy v Scotland (12.30pm)

England v Ireland (2.45pm)

Wales v France (5pm)

SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 FIXTURES IN FULL

Round one

Friday 1 February

France v Wales (8pm)

Saturday 2 February

Scotland v Italy (2.15pm)

Ireland v England (4.45pm)

Round two

Saturday 9 February

Scotland v Ireland (2.15pm)

Italy v Wales (4.45pm)

Sunday 10 February

England v France (3pm)

Round three

Saturday 23 February

France v Scotland (2.15pm)

Wales v England (2.15pm)

Sunday 24 February

Italy v Ireland (3pm)

Round four

Saturday 9 March

Scotland v Wales (2.15pm)

England v Italy (4.45pm)

Sunday 10 March

Ireland v France (3pm)

Round five

Saturday 17 March

Italy v France (12.30pm)

Wales v Ireland (2.45pm)

England v Scotland (5pm)