The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Townsend’s Six Nations bow will be in Cardiff
Scotland drawn away to Wales in opening round of 2018 championship
Gregor Townsend’s RBS 6 Nations Championship debut as Scotland head coach will be away to Wales.
The sides clash at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on February 3 before facing France at Murrayfield eight days later.
They are back on home turf a fortnight afterwards to square up to champions England in the Calcutta Cup.
Townsend and Co then travel to tussle with Ireland on March 10 and Italy the following weekend.
England will start the defence of their championship title away to Italy.
Eddie Jones’ side begin their 2018 campaign in Rome on Sunday February 4 before welcoming Wales to Twickenham the following weekend.
England then have away tests in Scotland and France before finishing at home to Ireland on March 17 – the middle game of ‘Super Saturday’.
Wales begin their programme at home to Scotland on February 3, while Ireland’s first game is away to France on the same day.
The tournament has remained a sevenweek competition, with rest weeks after rounds two and three, despite some calls for it to be shortened to a five-week block.
The competition’s 2019 fixture list has also been released with England away to Ireland and at home to France on the opening two weekends.
The final round of matches on March 16 sees Italy welcome France, Wales host Ireland and England entertain Scotland. Friday night rugby remains a part of the competition in both seasons, with France hosting Italy in 2018 and Wales in 2019.
“We are delighted to confirm the fixture dates for the 2018 Championship, coming shortly after a record-breaking 2017 edition,” Six Nations Rugby chairman Pat Whelan told www. rbs6nations.com. “We enjoyed record figures across TV and digital and look forward to continuing that trend over the next two seasons.”