Marseille's Velodrome to host France v Ireland in 2024 Six Nations

Ireland's opening match of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations will be held in Marseille, it has been has confirmed.

Six Nations confirmed that the opening game of the tournament will take place in the Orange Velodrome in Marseille, venue of the 2022 Heineken Champions Cup final in which Leinster lost to La Rochelle.

Defending Grand Slam champions Ireland will face Les Bleus on Friday 2 February with an 8pm kick-off.

The stadium has a capacity of 67,394 and is home to football club Olympique Marseille. It

France usually host their home games in the Stade de France in Paris but played Italy at the same venue in the 2018 tournament.

The World Cup hosts will also take on Italy at the Decathlon Arena in Lille on 25 February and England at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon on 16 March.

Ireland’s Rugby World Cup games against Romania and Tonga take place in Bordeaux and Nantes, respectively, on 9 and 16 September, while their final two Pool B games, against South Africa and Scotland, on 23 September and 7 October, are in the Stade de France.

2024 Six Nations fixtures

Round 1

Friday 2 February – France v Ireland, 8pm Saturday 3 February – Italy v England, 2.15pm Saturday 3 February – Wales v Scotland, 4.45pm

Round 2

Saturday 10 February – Scotland v France, 2.15pm Saturday 10 February – England v Wales, 4.45pm Sunday 11 February – Ireland v Italy, 3pm

Round 3 Saturday 24 February – Ireland v Wales, 2.15pm Saturday 24 February – Scotland v England, 4.45pm Sunday 25 February – France v Italy, 3pm

Round 4

Saturday 9 March – Italy v Scotland, 2.15pm Saturday 9 March – England v Ireland, 4.45pm Sunday 10 March – Wales v France, 3pm

Round 5

Saturday 16 March – Wales v Italy, 2.15pm Saturday 16 March – Ireland v Scotland, 4.45pm Saturday 16 March -