The Six Nations – Rugby’s Greatest Annual Rivalry

Every year, as winter tightens its grip across Europe, rugby fans know exactly what is coming: the Six Nations Championship. For rugby fans across Europe, the Six Nations is more than just a rugby tournament, it is a celebration of history, rivalry, national pride, and some of the toughest rugby on the planet!

The Six Nations features the six best rugby nations from across Europe: England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, and Italy. Although the tournament is held every year, it never fails to deliver drama.

The opener of this years Six Nations was held on a Thursday night, marking the first time in history that the tournament has started on a Thursday. The opener was between France and Ireland in Paris, with France winning the match 36-14. A lackluster performance from the Irish, although a couple of dodgy decisions from the English referee, Karl Dickinson, which didn’t help Ireland with what was already a tough task in Paris.

The two other matches on the opening weekend see Scotland travelling to Rome to face Italy, and Wales taking a trip over the border to lose against England, again, at the Allianz Stadium (sorry Welsh fans!)

The Six Nations traces its roots right back to 1883, when it began as the Home Nations Championship, between England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. France joined in 1910, and Italy completed the modern line-up in 2000.

What makes the tournament special isn’t just the silverware – it’s the stories. Generations of great players, unforgettable tries, controversial refereeing decisions as we saw in Paris on Thursday night, and iconic stadiums.

All of the fixtures played during the Six Nations are special, however, there are fixtures which some say carry some extra weight:

England vs Scotland (Calcutta Cup): one of rugby’s oldest rivalries, packed with passion and unpredictability.

France vs England (“Le Crunch”): a clash of styles – French flair versus English structure.

And of course England vs Wales: the biggest game of the tournament, who will get the bragging rights this year?

The Grand Slam

One of the unique features of the Six Nations is the Grand Slam – awarded to the teams that beats all five of their opponents in a single tournament. Achieving the Grand Slam is considered one of rugby’s greatest achievements, and it adds huge pressure and excitement to every round. This year, England travel to Paris to face France on the last weekend of fixtures, which many feel will be the ‘Grand Slam Game’. 

There is also the ‘Triple Crown’, contested between England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, adding another layer of competition.

Legendary Names

The Six Nations is where legends are made. From Jonny Wilkinson and Brian O’Driscoll to Alun Wyns Jones and Antoine Dupont. The tournament has showcased some of rugby’s greatest ever players.

The Wooden Spoon

Wales are currently the back-to-back holders of the Wooden Spoon, having finished bottom of the table, losing every match at the 2024 and 2025 Six Nations. Could it be back-to-back-to-back for Wales this year?

The Six Nations is more than just rugby, it is about having a beer with friends in the pub, friendly banter as you cheer on your nation, old rivalries renewed, and unforgettable moments. Whether you are a die hard rugby fan, or a casual viewer, the tournament has a way of pulling you in.

The Six Nations is a time for hope, glory, and if you’re Wales, a masterclass in how to make loyal fans question every life choice that led to them turning on the TV.

An exciting weekend for sports fans as we will be watching the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics, Six Nations, T20 World Cup, and the Superbowl to name a few.