2020 Six Nations fixtures announced

Despite the welcome step forward of announcing the games as early as mid-September, scheduling remains an issue in an era where all games will be televised or streamed – and in 2020 it's worse than ever.

Four of the five weekends will see kick-off clashes, with the opening weekend on Sunday 2ndFebruary reaching a new peak of inconvenience for followers of women’s rugby as all three games are played more or less simultaneously.

England get their campaign underway with a crucial clash against France at the Stade du Hameau in Pau, kicking off at 12.30 GMT. Then thirty minutes later last year’s runners-up Italy will open their championship at Cardiff Arms Park against Wales, and at exactly the same time Ireland get their game underway against Scotland at Energia Park in Dublin.

Two years ago, France v England attracted a world record crowd of 17,440 attended the match. The Stade du Hameau has attracted crowds of over 10,000 for previous fixtures involving Ireland, and with 18,000 seats could threaten that record.

Round two begins with Saturday night clash of France and Italy in Limoges, while on Sunday England Scotland meet England at Scotstoun (live on BBC Alba), with the second-half of their 12.10 kickoff clashing with the first half of Ireland v Wales at Donnybrook (1.00 start).

All three games in round three are on on Sunday 23rdFebruary, England return to a likely sell-out at Doncaster for their game with Ireland (12.45 kickoff) that starts just 45 minutes after Wales v France in Cardiff. Fortunately, Italy v Scotland in Legnano is not until 4.00pm in the afternoon.

Round four on 7thand 8thMarch is the only round without fixture clashes. England return to the Stoop to play Wales on the Saturday (12.05pm – live on Sky) after a couple of years away in what will be a test to see if the sort of crowds in the rest of the country can be replicated in London. In the evening Scotland host France at Scotstoun (7.45pm, live on BBC Alba) while the following day Ireland host Italy at Donnybrook, starting at 1pm

The final day on 15thMarch almost matches the opening day with Wales against Scotland at Cardiff (1.10pm) just getting going before Italy begin against England at Padova (1.30pm). However, unlike the opening day, both games should just have finished in time to catch France v Ireland at Lille, which starts at 3.35pm.

Once again, every match will be broadcast on TV in each team’s home territory with Sky Sports in England, FR2 / FR4 in France, RTÉ in Ireland, Eurosport Italia in Italy, BBC Alba in Scotland and BBC Wales / S4C in Wales. Worldwide interest continues to go from strength to strengthen and the women’s championship will be broadcast in over 175 countries around the world, though the fixture clashes must impact on the live narrative that TV will be able to offer.

Dedicated highlights programmes will be available in some territories and we are told that “selected matches” will also be streamed online (why only “selected” this year is unclear).

Later that day, Eddie Jones’ senior men’s side host Wales at Twickenham [KO 4.45pm], providing supporters with the opportunity to watch both of England’s senior teams on the same day in TW2.

England's final game of the tournament sees them travel to an Italian side who finished runners-up this year as they head to Padova on Sunday 15 March [KO 1330 GMT].

Coach of champions England, Simon Middleton, said: “The Six Nations is an integral part of our season. Last year we played some excellent stuff and were rewarded with a Grand Slam. We will be looking to move those performances up to another level this time around and hopefully that will bring us the outcome we want and another Championship.

“Our attendances in recent times have been phenomenal and it’s really helped take our game forward.

“The energy and drive that both Doncaster and Exeter put into our home fixtures last year was amazing and was reflected in the record-breaking crowds that turned out to support the Red Roses. That, in turn, created great momentum and was a significant factor in our success. It’d be fantastic to see another record crowd at The Stoop and that momentum continue to build.”

“We’re really looking forward to going back to Castle Park. There was a great atmosphere against France in what was a huge game in terms of the Six Nations earlier this year. We were up on the gantry and I remember the roar when the team came out and thinking ‘this is brilliant, this is the type of stage we want to be on’. It’ll be great to go back for a big game against a top international side.

“We’re also pleased to be returning to The Stoop. We’ve had some fantastic occasions there and it’s always a good game against Wales” and Harlequins chief executive David Ellis said: “We have a rich and colourful history of hosting England Women’s matches at the Home of Harlequins, in tournaments such as the Rugby World Cup and in major international Test matches and we are honoured to showcase the prestige of the Six Nations Championship in 2020. As a club, we are proud to have a number of players in both our men’s and women’s squads who have represented England and Wales and we hope that this fixture will allow us to exhibit more of our international pedigree.

England’s main challenge is likely to again be from France, who are beginning to match England with the number of competitive fixtures they organise outside the Six Nations. Last summer saw them beat World Champions New Zealand for the second time in a year, and having the home fixture against England this year could be the difference that might see them recover from last year’s disappointing campaign to return to the top, although manager Annick Hayraud was quick to point out that England are not the only challenges

"I think it's important to realize that the level is increasing across the board. Today we have more competitions and that's great! it makes you want to work, participate and beat the best nations, some of which we only played in the World Cups before."

Before the Six Nations we still have the Autumn Internationals, that will see England and France meet home and away.

"The idea is that girls are more and more ready. To be better, you have to face the best. And that means more games against teams like England or New Zealand. This familiarisation stops our players looking on these nations are untouchable. Last year, in Toulon, for many, it was their first game against the Black Ferns and despite reminding them that we could beat them, it was not enough. That changed with the second match as they had demystified the opposition. The proof? We beat them in Grenoble."

And standards continue to improve across the game.

"Yes, of course, but it also broadens the group of players. It is important that in France, at the high level, we have a wide pool of players  and that every new player when she arrives, will know what to expect.

But the big target for France is the World Cup in 2021.

"Exactly! We still have a year to try and observe some players. After the Six Nations, in March or April 2020, we will be able to determine the group of players who will prepare for the competition in New Zealand