Scotland to play Wales in first game of 2009 Six Nations

SCOTLAND will begin their 2009 RBS 6 Nations campaign with a Murrayfield clash against Grand Slam winners Wales.

That match has been confirmed for Sunday, February 8, and will be followed six days later by an away match against France in Paris.

The Scots also face a tough closing fixture, with their final match to be played against England at Twickenham on March 21.

Home fixtures against Italy and Ireland precede the trip to London, and Scotland captain Mike Blair believes the fixture list is favourable for Frank Hadden's side.

Blair said: "It's always good to begin the championship at home as it gives you the better chance of starting with a win and then look to build momentum.

"We do then face a tight six-day turnaround to face France in Paris so the balance between training and rest will be important that week.

"Following that, we have successive home games at Murrayfield against Italy and Ireland and I believe that could stand us in good stead for our final game of the championship as we seek to retain the Calcutta Cup against England at Twickenham."

Scotland's 2009 RBS 6 Nations Championship fixtures:
Sunday, February 8 – v Wales (h)
Saturday, February 14 – v France (a)
Saturday, February 28 – v Italy (h)
Saturday, March 14 – v Ireland (h)
Saturday, March 21 – v England (a)

• Reigning champions Wales will play in the first Six Nations fixture on a Friday night when they tackle France in next season's tournament.

The controversial move has been ratified by RBS 6 Nations organisers.

Wales, who won the title and Grand Slam with victory over France four weeks ago, will head to Paris on February 27 for a 9pm kick-off (local time).

But the decision is likely to be criticised by fans, who could face a difficult task slotting a Friday night game into their travel plans.

Six Nations bosses say they have looked at the success of Friday night rugby at last autumn's World Cup, which was also held in France, as a factor behind their decision.