VI Nations, the tournament products

From 1883 to Italy's arrival in 2000

The Six Nations Championship descends from the British championship launched in 1883 between England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, twelve years after the very first international match, played in Edinburgh in 1871. France joined in 1910 and the Championship became the Five Nations; accused of professionalism, it was excluded from 1932 until its return in 1947. Italy completed the line-up in 2000, immediately winning against Scotland in Rome, 34 to 20. Each nation faces the other five once per edition, alternating home and away matches each year.

The nations of the Championship

The nations of the Championship are:

• France.
• Ireland.
• England.
• Scotland.
• Wales.
• Italy.

Find also the Rugby Championship and the other nations.

Calcutta Cup, Garibaldi, Triple Crown: the trophies of the Championship

The title is not the only stake: several trophies are contested match by match. The Calcutta Cup, contested between England and Scotland since 1879, was crafted in India from the silver rupees of a defunct Calcutta club. The Garibaldi Trophy has awarded the winner of France-Italy since 2007, and the Auld Alliance Trophy for France-Scotland since 2018. The Triple Crown goes to the British or Irish nation that beats its three neighbours, the Grand Slam to the team that wins all five matches, and the wooden spoon, purely symbolic, to the one that loses them all.

Authentic, supporter or Anthem jacket: dressing for the Championship

The national jerseys come in several versions. The authentic jersey, like that of the France XV signed adidas or England's, features the fitted cut and materials of the players; the supporter version, looser, can easily be worn over a pullover on match days. At Macron, who outfits Scotland, Wales and Italy, the home jerseys maintain the historic colours: navy blue, red, and sky blue. For the Blues, the Anthem jacket, worn by players during the anthems, and the shorts complete the gear, while scarves and flags face the cold of the February stands.

Good deals

Good deals can be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and the items shipped in 24 hours are prepared and dispatched within 24 hours. The major events of the year follow in a stable order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the end-of-year holidays, the winter sales, the French Days of spring, then the summer sales and back to school.

Frequently asked questions

When does the Six Nations Championship take place?

The men's Championship is held every winter, from early February to mid-March, over five match days spread across seven weeks with two weekends off. Matches usually take place on Saturdays, sometimes on Friday evenings or Sunday afternoons.

How is the Championship ranking calculated?

Since 2017, a victory earns four points and a draw two. A point of bonus rewards the team that scores at least four tries, another for the team that loses by seven points or less, and a Grand Slam is worth three bonus points to secure the title.

What is the Crunch?

This is the nickname for the France-England match, the most awaited fixture of the Championship from the French side. The match takes place one year at the Stade de France, the next at Twickenham, and it often weighs heavily in the title race.

Does the Championship have a women's version?

Yes, the women's Six Nations Championship features the same nations in spring, with increasingly full stadiums. There is also an Under-20 Championship, a true showcase for future internationals.

Who won the first editions of the Six Nations?

England was victorious in the first two editions, in 2000 and 2001, but the first Grand Slam of the six-nations format was achieved by France in 2002, with five wins in five matches.