Six Nations revamp

Next year's Six Nations rugby championship will end with a possible title-deciding clash between England and France in Paris on 27 March, kicking off at 8pm UK time.

The first match is a Valentine's Day pairing of France and Ireland, and the tournament will conclude with a 'Super Saturday' on 27 March, when all six nations will be in action.

Jacques Laurans, chairman of the Six Nations Committee, said: "Our aim has been to build on the success of this year's tournament, which was the most widely-viewed of recent times. Television audiences were up from 75 million to 95 million.

"The 2004 Championship promises even greater interest, coming as it does hard on the heels of the Rugby World Cup. I suspect there may be a score or two to settle by the time the Six Nations comes along."

Meanwhile, Saracens full-back Thomas Castaignede will attempt to clinch a Heineken Cup place for his club - without using rugby boots.

Castaignede has a swollen bursa in his right Achilles tendon and cannot wear orthodox boots. Instead, he is wearing a pair of studless Aussie Rules boots borrowed from Sarries physiotherapist Rob Naish and will use them against Leicester in the Zurich Wildcard play-off final on 31 May as long as the ground is dry.

THE SCHEDULE

Sat 14 February:
France v Ireland (2.00pm)
Wales v Scotland (4pm)

Sun 15 February:
Italy v England (3pm)

Sat 21 February:
France v Italy (2pm)
Scotland v England (5.30pm)

Sun 22 February:
Ireland v Wales (3pm)

Sat 6 March:
Italy v Scotland (1.30pm)
England v Ireland (4pm)

Sun 7 March:
Wales v France (3pm)

Sat 20 March:
Ireland v Italy (1.30pm)
England v Wales (4pm)

Sun 21 March:
Scotland v France (3pm)

Sat 27 March:
Wales v Italy (2pm)
Ireland v Scotland (4pm)
France v England (8pm)