Organisers of the RSB 6 Nations Championship have confirmed the schedule of fixtures for next year's competition, with one game taking place on a Friday evening.
England and Italy open the tournament in Twickenham on Saturday 7 February at 3pm, with the heavyweight clash of Ireland v France in Croke Park following at 5pm.
Ireland travel to Italy the following weekend, before they host England on Saturday 28 February at 5.30pm.
France and Wales will go head-to-head the day before Ireland and England on Friday 27 February. This will be the first time a Six Nations match has been played on a weekday.
Ireland travel to Scotland on their fourth matchday, before rounding off the tournament away to Wales.
Six Nations Council Chairman, Jacques Laurans, expects another great tournament and said: 'The 2008 RBS 6 Nations Championship concluded recently on yet another high note.
'The atmosphere in Cardiff was electric and I am convinced that next year's Championship will be equally as dramatic. Once again, the Championship brought huge TV audiences in all its countries and we are looking forward to even more exciting matches and unpredictable results.'
2009 RBS 6 Nations Championship schedule:
Saturday 7 February
England v Italy 3.00pm
Ireland v France 5.00pm
Sunday 8 February
Scotland v Wales 3.00pm
Saturday 14 February
France v Scotland 3.00pm
Wales v England 5.30pm
Sunday 15 February
Italy v Ireland 2.30pm
Friday 27 February
France v Wales 8.00pm
Saturday 28 February
Scotland v Italy 3.00pm
Ireland v England 5.30pm
Saturday 14 March
Italy v Wales 3.00pm
Scotland v Ireland 5.00pm
Sunday 15 March
England v France 3.00pm
Saturday 21 March
Italy v France 1.15pm
England v Scotland 3.30pm
Wales v Ireland 5.30pm
