STAR Sports is set to deliver comprehensive coverage of one of the biggest events on the rugby union calendar as the northern hemisphere’s best national teams meet in the Six Nations Championship. Telecast begins with England at home against Ireland LIVE at 22:00, February 5 (Hong Kong/Singapore time).
Formerly the Five Nations Championship, the competition kicks off the new millennium with an expanded format and a new member as Italy join the scrum with England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The teams will play each other once over the three-month period, with home venue alternating from year to year. The good news for rugby fans is that addition of Italy ups the number of games from 10 to 15.
Italy will begin as makeweights. Although they’ve chalked up good results, notably against Ireland, in recent years their annihilation by England in the World Cup points to a steep learning curve as members of this elite club.
All Six Nations, with the glorious exception of France, flopped disappointingly in the World Cup. England lost to New Zealand in the group stage and bowed out at the quarter-finals, losing to South Africa and the boot of Jannie de Beer. Scotland were crushed by New Zealand, Wales were well beaten by eventual champions Australia and Ireland bowed out to Argentina in the quarter-final playoffs.
It was left to France to perk up European spirits. In the semi-final they defeated the mighty All Blacks 43-31 in a game dubbed the greatest in World Cup history and certainly one of the greatest international matches of all time.
That was a complete turnaround from March when the French collected the Five Nations’ wooden spoon. Such extreme fluctuations in form typify the French Cockerels of recent seasons – they’d won the Grand Slam in 1998!! Which French team will show up for this season’s Six Nations? French coach Bernard Laporte has already changed captains, appointing bruising Toulouse forward Fabien Pelous to the job.
Scotland, reigning champions by virtue of percentage after tying match points with England, will be led in their defence of the title by new captain, the New Zealand-born centre John Leslie.
England will be without injured, inspirational lock forward Martin Johnson for their opener against Ireland so scrum-half Matt Dawson takes the captaincy. Bath centre Mike Tindall could be in line for a debut cap and Jonny Wilkinson is a future English superstar.
Wales, have improved radically in recent years under coach Graham Henry and are the dark horses to watch this year. They will miss Cardiff Lock Craig Quinnell for at least two of these matches so Ian Gough of Pontypridd is expected to fill in. The Welsh also go with controversial selection, centre Jason Jones-Hughes who had played at B level for Australia. David Young replaces his Cardiff teammate Rob Howley as Welsh captain.
A new captain, British Lions hooker Keith Wood, will lead Ireland but coach Warren Gatland has lost two important players to injury in the buildup to their opening game against England – Jeremy Davidson and highly rated potential debutant Ronan Gara.
For Italy, the chance to take part in this competition is a dream come true. At the helm is former All Black Brad Johnstone and he’s raring to go. ‘It’s an honour and a challenge,” he said. He has a big job to do, but the Italians will certainly bring some extra flair to this first Six Nations Championship!
Six Nations Championship Rugby- LIVE on STAR Sports
Feb 5: 22:00 (L) 10:30 (R) Feb 6: Ireland @ England
Feb 6: 00:30 (L) 15:00 (R) France @ Wales
Feb 19: 21:00 (L) 10:30 (R) Feb 20 England @ France
Feb 19: 23:30 (L) 16:00 (R) Feb 20 Scotland @ Ireland
Feb 20: 20:00 (S) 03:00 (R) Feb 23 Italy @ Wales
Hong Kong/ Singapore Time. Schedule subject to change. Away team first.
For the latest schedules and program information, catch us on the web at www.espnstar.com
Or contact Edward Yip, Program Publicity Manager at:
Phone: (65) 488 6422
Fax: (65) 488 6308
Email: yipe@espnstar.com