The 2019 Guinness Six Nations and 2019 Women's Six nations was recently launched in London, with all 12 captains and coaches in attendance to kick off two months of rugby.
Owen Farrell and Sarah Hunter (England), Guilhem Guirado and Gaelle Hermet (France), Rory Best and Ciara Griffin (Ireland), Sergio Parisse and Manuela Furlan (Italy), Greig Laidlaw and Lisa Martin (Scotland) and Alun Wyn Jones and Carys Phillips (Wales) were all present to mark the launch at The Hurlingham Club, SW London.
“For 135 years, the Six Nations has been rugby’s greatest tournament and as we all look forward to the kick-off of this year’s Championship it promises to once again offer huge excitement and fierce competition in both the men’s and women’s games,” Ben Morel, chief executive of the Six Nations said.
Anticipated Opening Game
The Guinness Six Nations starts next weekend in what’s set to be a highly anticipated opening game when France host Wales at the Stade de France on Friday 1 February.
On Saturday 2 February, Scotland will host Italy at the BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh and reigning champions Ireland are bidding to become the first team to win back-to-back Grand Slams in the Six Nations era as they host England at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
Women’s Championship
The Women’s Championship starts with last year’s runners up, England, travelling to Energia Park, Dublin to play Ireland on Friday 1 February, on the same night Scotland host Italy at the Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow.
The final match of Round One sees France looking to repeat their Grand Slam success of last year when they host Wales at the GGL (Altrad) Stadium in Montpellier.
Record Audiences
The Six Nations is one of the world’s best attended sports events and regularly attracts record TV and online audiences in the UK, France, Ireland, Italy and all over the world, the drinks giant said in a statement.
"Working closely with the Six Nations, we have six years to demonstrate our love of this beautiful game, including helping to drive and expand on rugby’s loyal fanbase, heighten the extraordinary experience of spectators in and outside the stadiums and to champion the women’s game, bringing it to a wider public," added Mark Sandys, global head of beer at Diageo.
"We can’t wait for the action to kick-off!”
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
