2010 Six Nations Rugby Championship Countdown

2010 Six Nations Rugby Championship Countdown
By: John Downes

The International Rugby fraternity is eagerly awaiting the start of the 2010 RBS Six Nations Championship, which kicks off on Saturday the 6th February. Defending "Grand Slam" titleholders Ireland kick off the defence of their title with a match against a strong Italian team at Croke Park. Read on for more about our guide to the 6 Nations countdown…

Could 2010 get any better than 2009 for this outstanding Irish team? 2009 was a year that will forever be remembered in the annals of Irish Rugby; not only was the first "Grand Slam" magnificently achieved for the first time since 1948 by Declan Kidney’s charges, but also the current World Champions the Springboks from South Africa were defeated in Croke Park, and an exciting draw with a strong Australia team preceded that great victory. Add in the fact that Irish club teams have never been stronger, with both Munster and Leinster accounting for the last two Heineken Cup successes, and have secured quarterfinal placings for 2010 at this moment. All these factors have contributed to the high standing Irish rugby currently has in place in the sporting world.

The 2010 championship is the final time Ireland will be playing home games at the illustrious Croke Park venue as the Aviva Stadium (located on the famous site of the old Lansdowne Road ground) is scheduled to open in April 2010 for Rugby Union and Soccer.

Ireland are playing three home games this year on the famous sod – on the 6th February Ireland play Italy at 2.30pm. This should be a straightforward win on paper, but Italy have made strides in recent years, and the success of Treviso in the Heineken Cup shows the strength of these doughty opponents.

Saturday March 13th at 2.30pm sees the visit of Wales to Croke Park, in a rematch of last year’s Triple Crown and "Grand Slam" decider at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, that ended in amazing circumstances, with the Welsh penalty taken by Stephen Jones (that could have stopped the Irish bid for glory) just coming short of the posts, and ensuring a famous Irish victory, leading to raucous celebrations for Irish rugby folk.

On the 20th March 2010 Ireland take on Scotland at 5pm in the final ever 6 Nations game to be played at Croke Park. Going on Ireland's current form this game has all the potential to be a 6 Nations decider and all the factors are adding up to the most eagerly awaited Championship in years! Ireland are the proverbial team to beat in 2010, and all the opposition will be eager to put one over on the team captained by Irish and Leinster legend Brian O’Driscoll.

The famous Croke Park Stadium is located just off Jones Road in Dublin 3 and is a stadium that accommodates 82,000 spectators, and will be full to capacity for the 6 Nations Games. If you are heading to Ireland for any of the 6 Nations Championship games, why not reserve Car Hire Dublin Airport at excellent rates.

If you are supporting the team in green, it is time to don your jersey and scarf and get out there and support the boys! Give us your views on the 2009 Six Nations Championship, as always we would love to hear from you!

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