Ireland will be hoping for a Halloween treat in Paris

IRELAND will meet France on Halloween night in a potential Six Nations title shootout after tournament officials confirmed the dates for the four postponed championship fixtures. Ireland’s clashes with Italy and Les Bleus were called off in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic but Andy Farrell’s squad will return to action in October. Ireland will welcome the Azzurri to Aviva Stadium on October 24 before a blockbuster Super Saturday of fixtures the following weekend. Wales will take on Scotland at 2.15pm before Italy entertain England in Rome at 4.45pm leading into Ireland’s final-round meeting with the French in Paris. A bonus-point win over Italy would put Farrell’s men in a strong position to seal the title on the final day against a France outfit who will be targeting their first Six Nations title in a decade. ‘We are absolutely thrilled to make this announcement today,’ said Six Nations CEO Ben Morel. ‘Whilst the past few months have been extremely challenging, we have always remained hopeful of concluding this year’s tournament and we are really looking forward to the final games in the men’s and women’s championships. ‘There is still so much to play for, and we are hugely excited for what lies ahead. ‘Public health remains the number one priority and while we must continue to be vigilant and cognisant of the dynamic and fast-changing external environment, we are nonetheless extremely pleased to be moving in the right direction.’ The return of the championship is a major boost to the IRFU, but Six Nations officials are still working to determine whether supporters will be allowed to attend the forthcoming matches. A statement read: ‘In rescheduling these matches, the health and safety of players, associated staff and supporters has been at the forefront of our thinking. ‘We remain in close contact with all relevant authorities across the respective jurisdictions to ensure these matches take place in a safe environment and we will announce further details of health and safety protocols and guidance on spectator attendance in due course.’ Adam Griggs’ squad received a major boost with the Women’s Six Nations also set to resume on October 24. Ireland are set to face Italy in Donnybrook that weekend before heading to Paris to face Grand Slam-chasing France. There was disappointing news for the Ireland’s U20s, however, with news that the current championship would not be completed. It is a major blow to Noel McNamara’s impressive squad of youngsters who looked on course to complete back-to-back Grand Slams at that level. Spearheaded by up-and-coming stars such as David McCann, Thomas Ahern, Jack Crowley, Andrew Smith and Dan Kelly, Ireland were undefeated after three games which included an impressive 39-21 demolition of England at Franklin’s Gardens. ‘With regards to the U20 Six Nations championship, due to season scheduling constraints, it was decided that the three outstanding matches would not be played and there would be no winner for the 2020 Championship,’ tournament officials confirmed yesterday. As was widely reported in recent weeks, an eight-team tournament featuring the Six Nations teams as well as Fiji and Japan is set to take place in November to replace the previous autumn international series which has been called off due to health and travel restrictions. Ireland were due to face South Africa, Australia and Japan in November but are now set to be grouped in a four-team pool containing England, Wales and Fiji. Those fixtures are yet to be confirmed but it is understood that Ireland will face Wales in Aviva Stadium on November 14, England in Twickenham on November 21 and Fiji in Dublin on November 28. The weekend of December 5/6 has been pencilled in for play-offs to decide the winner of the bespoke tournament with France, Scotland, Italy and Japan contesting the other pool. Yesterday, the Six Nations confirmed that plans for the new tournament were at an advanced stage. ‘In recent weeks, Six Nations has also been progressing contingency plans for an alternative tournament format in place of the Autumn Internationals for 2020, primarily driven by travel restrictions not allowing many international teams to play the scheduled matches,’ read a statement. ‘This tournament will be a unique eight-team competition, involving the Six Nations unions and two other international teams. ‘We are currently finalising match schedules, operational details including venues as well as commercial arrangements. ‘Further announcements are expected to be made later this month.’ The IRFU also confirmed that they are in the process of refunding fans who purchased tickets for Ireland’s remaining Six Nations games.