The air might be cold and the ground may be frozen solid but in a month’s time the 2010 Six Nations Championship will begin in earnest.
The first major international rugby tournament of the new decade will come to life on February 6th when defending champions Ireland take on traditional competition minnows Italy at Croke Park. With 2009 having been bedecked in green with both the international honours and domestic glory – in the shape of the Magners League and Heineken Cup – being bestowed on the Emerald Isle it remains to be seen if Declan Kidney’s men can remain on top of the tree.
Later that day sees the first real major clash of the tournament as England welcome Wales to Twickenham. The Welsh star has faded slightly in the last twelve months but they still retain a dynamic core of quality players throughout their first XV with the likes of Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips and Shane Williams always a major threat with ball in hand. England will be hoping to improve on an unsatisfactory Autumn but the return to the squad of Delon Armitage and Rikki Flutey as well as their first choice front row will no doubt bolster their challenge.
Scotland take on France in their opening match with Andy Robinson’s men boosted by a successful Autumn International series that included a famous win over Australia. The French, however, comprehensively beat world champions South Africa during the same period and are widely regarded as Ireland’s main challengers for the Six Nations crown.
Tickets for all the above matches are still available to compare and buy on tixdaq.com.
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