Six Nations Rugby Championship

Six Nations Rugby Championship, international championship for rugby union contested annually by the four British Isles Unions (England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) and France and Italy. Each nation plays the other five nations once in a season, with venues (home or away) alternating each year. Two points towards the championship are scored for a win and one for a draw. The championship can be traced back to 1884 when the four home countries first completed a full programme of matches; it became “five nations” in the 1909-1910 season when France joined the competition and “six nations” in 2000 with the advent of Italy. From 1931 to 1939 it was back to four when France was excluded because of allegations of professionalism.

The Grand Slam is achieved when a side beats all the other teams in one season; the Triple Crown is achieved when one of the British Isles nations beats all the other home nations in a season. The most famous match, for the Calcutta Cup trophy, is played annually between England and Scotland.