10 things to know about the Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations is a rugby competition to XV, held annually since 1882 between February and March by teams of England, Scotland, France, Ireland, Italy and Wales.
Discover 10 things to know about this annual rugby competition:
1 - The tournament was not always played between 6 nations
Originally, this tournament was called the Home Nations Championship (or Four Nations Championship) between England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. A 100% British tournament until the arrival of France in the competition in 1910. The tournament then became the Five Nations Championship. In 2000, with the first participation of Italy, the tournament changed its name again to become the Six Nations Championship.
2- France, big favourite of this 2023 edition
After winning its 10th Grand Slam last year, which was the pride of an entire nation, France is one of the favourites for the 2023 edition. Armed with its 9 victories in a row last year (unheard of in the history of French rugby) and the Cup won at the end of the tournament, the XV of France could well repeat the feat this year. Will Fabien Galthié's team accomplish the unprecedented exploit of winning two Grand Slams in a row? Six months from the World Cup, that's all we wish them!
3 - Guinness is the official sponsor
For sponsorship reasons, the tournament was officially named RBS Six Nations from 1999 to 2017. In 2018, the Royal Bank of Scotland gave way to the English bank National Westminster Bank and gave the tournament the official name of NatWest Six Nations.
4 - The greatest number of victories goes to England and Wales
England is the nation with the most titles with 39 wins, equalled by Wales in 2021. In third position in the standings, we find France with 256 wins. Ireland and Scotland are tied with 22 wins each. Italy has never won this tournament yet.
5 - The Grand Slam principle of rugby union
6 - Canterbury is the official equipment supplier of Ireland
Canterbury shares the values of rugby: the love and passion of this sport for a very wide audience. It is in this perspective that the brand has become the official equipment supplier of the Irish team after being the supplier of the All Blacks team for many decades.
2018 jersey of the Irish team
7 - Matches are always played in the same stadiums
- Millennium Stadium in Cardiff (74 500 seats)
- Olympic Stadium in Rome (72 698 seats)
- Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburg (67 130 seats)
- Aviva Stadium in Dublin (51 700 seats)
8 - France was excluded from the tournament
In 1910, France joined the competition. Unfortunately in 1931, the team was excluded from the tournament for lack of professionalism (payment of players, inter-club recruitment...) and because of their violent game in some matches. France was again admitted to the championship in 1939 after an agreement was reached between the French Rugby Federation and the other delegations in 1932. However, World War II did not allow the tournament to take place until 1947.
9 - A tournament not only for men...
There has also been a female version of the Six Nations Championship since 1996 as well as a junior version for under 20 years old, created in 2008. The women's tournament is played on the same dates and meets the same six nations.
10 - Best performance for Jonny Wilkinson
England team player Jonny Wilkinson has the best individual performance in 6 Nations tournaments. He scored 89 points in the 2011 edition, 78 points in 2000, 77 points in 2003 and 75 points in 2002.
Bonus - To accompany your matches
To watch the matches of the Six Nations Tournament and other sports competitions throughout the year, find our selection of aperitifs and snacks.
Article written by Manon C.
