History-makers, record-breakers and Grand Slam winners – Wales reclaimed Rugby’s Greatest Championship in style as they completed a third perfect campaign under Warren Gatland.
Wales swept aside all before them to become the 2019 champions, celebrating a third clean sweep in 11 years and stretching their remarkable winning run to 14 games in the process.
But having reached the summit again, a new challenge awaits Wales in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations as they prepare to defend their crown without Gatland at the helm.
The victory over Ireland in Cardiff was Gatland’s 50th and final Guinness Six Nations match in charge as he became the first coach in Championship history to win three Slams.
A new era for the Welsh national side will be led by Wayne Pivac, who will hoping to hit the ground running by retaining their Championship crown. Here’s a look at what’s to come in 2020.
ROUND ONE – WALES V ITALY (H)
Wales will open their 2020 Guinness Six Nations campaign against Italy in Cardiff, presenting the defending champions with a chance to lay down a marker to their rivals.
The Azzurri provided one of the sternest tests of Wales’ Championship credentials in 2019 in Rome, where they pushed the visitors all the way before eventually losing 26-15.
Italy’s last visit to Cardiff was back in 2018 when the hosts prevailed 38-14 thanks to a double from George North and tries from Hadleigh Parkes, Cory Hill and Justin Tipuric.
When is it being played?
Saturday, February 1, 2.15pm GMT
ROUND TWO – IRELAND V WALES (A)
A tough assignment awaits Wales in Round Two as they face a trip to the 2018 Grand Slam champions Ireland, who will also have a new face in charge in Andy Farrell.
Ireland will still be hurting after their 25-7 defeat in Cardiff in the final round of the 2019 Guinness Six Nations, which resulted in their Championship crown being claimed by Wales.
Wales’ last loss in the Championship came at the hands of Ireland in 2018 at the Aviva Stadium, where the hosts triumphed 37-27 after Jacob Stockdale grabbed a memorable double.
When is it being played?
Saturday, February 8, 2.15pm GMT
ROUND THREE – WALES V FRANCE (H)
When Wales’ 2019 Grand Slam is looked back on in years to come, their victory over France in the opening round will always be highlighted as the key moment of the campaign.
Gatland’s men were trailing 16-0 at the Stade de France in Paris, but they staged a stunning second-half comeback to seal a 24-19 victory – from which they never looked back.
Les Bleus will be determined to make amends in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations when they travel to Cardiff, where they were narrowly beaten 14-13 on their last Championship visit in 2018.
When is it being played?
Saturday, February 22, 4.15pm GMT
ROUND 4 – ENGLAND V WALES (A)
England will play host to Wales in the penultimate round of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations in what could potentially be another Championship-defining collision between the two sides.
Wales took the spoils in the 2019 Guinness Six Nations in Cardiff after recovering from 10-3 behind at the interval to secure a record-breaking 12th consecutive Test win.
But a Jonny May double proved the difference last time Wales visited Twickenham in 2018 and the defending champions will be keen to avoid defeat to the Red Rose if they are to retain their title.
When is it being played?
Saturday, March 7, 4.45pm GMT
ROUND 5 – WALES V SCOTLAND (H)
Super Saturday is set to live up to its name once again when Wales kick off the finale to the 2020 Guinness Six Nations by welcoming Scotland to Cardiff in Round Five.
The two sides faced off in the penultimate round of the 2019 Championship, with Wales maintaining their unbeaten run despite Scotland running them close in the second half.
Scotland were beaten 34-7 on their last Championship visit to Principality Stadium in 2018 after Leigh Halfpenny racked up 24 points, but the visitors are more than capable of providing an upset.
When is it being played?
Saturday, March 14, 2.15pm GMT
WHAT CHANNEL ARE WALES’ MATCHES ON TV?
Fans in Wales and the rest of the UK can watch the games on BBC Sport, ITV Sport or S4C. For fans in Ireland, the matches will be on Virgin Media, while fans based in France can watch on France Televisions. Supporters in Italy can watch on DMAX.
For a full list of worldwide broadcasters, click HERE.
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Source: 6 Nations