THE FIXTURES

A game-by-game guide to this year's tournament

- By PAUL EDDISON

THE perfect opening game which, for the first time, is on a Thursday night.

FEBRUARY 5

France v Ireland

Stade de France (8.10pm)

With the Winter Olympics opening ceremony inked in for Friday, Six Nations boffins have shifted this 24 hours earlier - but who's complaining?

France and Ireland have won the last four titles between them, making this the perfect curtain-raiser. France demolished the Irish last year, leaving the visitors with a score to settle this time around.

FEBRUARY 7

Italy v Scotland

Stadio Olimpico (2.10pm)

AFTER an underwhelming autumn, the pressure has really ramped up on Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend as he prepares for his ninth Six Nations in charge.

Trips to Rome have been banana skins for the Scots in the past and Italy will fancy their chances of getting off to a winning start.

England v Wales

Allianz Stadium (4.40pm)

WALES have not won a Six Nations game at Twickenham since 2012 and the chances of that changing here are slim, given recent results.

England, meanwhile, must fancy a crack at the title following an excellent autumn and winning here is a must if they are going to stand a chance.

England whipped Wales 68-14 in Cardiff last year.

FEBRUARY 14

Ireland v Italy

Aviva Stadium (2.10pm)

CHALK this up as an Ireland win. The Men in Green have a history of steamrolling Italy at the set-piece and that is unlikely to change here.

Italy got to within five points of a famous win in Rome last year but the Aviva Stadium is a fortress.

Scotland v England

Murrayfield (4.40pm)

ONE of the great rugby rivalries and one of the great occasions in British sport.

England used to dominate Calcutta Cup matches but Scotland have had the wood on their opponents in recent times.