World number one side Ireland will meet second-ranked France in a blockbuster opening to the 2024 Six Nations, the organisers announced on Tuesday.
The match will be played on Friday, February 2, the evening kick-off pandering to the demands of television.
The venue for the match, however, has yet to be decided as the Stade de France will be out of action next year ahead of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics.
This year’s match between the two sides in Dublin produced a thrilling 32-19 win for the Irish who remain the only side still capable of capturing the Grand Slam this season after winning the first three of their five games.
The remaining two matches in the opening weekend will both be in the traditional afternoon slot on Saturday, February 3, with Italy hosting England in Rome and Scotland travelling to Cardiff to face Wales.
The tournament concludes on March 16 when all three matches are played consecutively on the same afternoon with the Le Crunch between France and England providing the grand finale.
