History of Rugby Union 6 Nations
The Six Nations Championship Trophy is a testament to skill and endurance. Picture Shutterstock
This article is in partnership with Neds.
The Six Nations Championship, a beacon of rugby heritage, has been captivating audiences since its inception in 1882. It initially featured a showdown between the four nations of the United Kingdom-England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. The championship evolved into a truly European affair with the inclusion of France in 1910 and Italy in 2000.
Resources such as BBC Sport Online and the Six Nations Rugby site offer a wealth of information about the thrilling history of this tournament. The championship unfolds over seven action-packed weekends between February and April, as the national teams of France, England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales go head-to-head. Each team vies with the other five, alternating home advantage every season.
The Six Nations Championship Trophy is a testament to skill and endurance. It's awarded to the team with the most points-2 for a win, 1 for a draw. In case of a tie, the team with the best match-points difference (points 'for' minus points 'against') emerges as the winner. And if there's still no outright winner, it boils down to the team with the most tries. In the rare event of an unresolved tie, the championship is shared.
A team achieving the coveted 'Grand Slam' title has not only won the championship but also remained undefeated throughout. The 'Triple Crown' is a parallel contest among the four Home Unions (England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales), awarded to the team that bests the other three.
The inaugural championship match in 1882, in which England defeated Wales, marked the commencement of a grand rugby tradition. Originally known as the International Championship and judged purely on wins or losses, the tournament initially lacked the structure it boasts today. It faced its share of controversies in the early years, with disputes leading to incomplete tournaments in 1885, 1887, and 1889.
England and Scotland led the charge in the beginning, but the Welsh revolutionised the game in the mid-1890s with their innovative 'four three-quarter' system, dominating the tournament by the turn of the century. By 1900, each Home Union team had tasted success in the increasingly popular sport. The first international game at England's rugby home, Twickenham, in 1910 signalled a golden era for English rugby, and the rest, as they say, is history!
When four turned into five
In 1910, France took the plunge and joined the rugby competition, marking the start of the 'Five Nations'. Despite being a force to reckon with in later years, the French team found the initial years challenging, winning just a single game against Scotland in 1911 by a narrow margin. The advent of World War I in 1914 put a halt to the games.
When the tournament resumed in the 1920s, it was England's time to shine, claiming nine championship victories, along with five coveted 'Grand Slams'. The year 1925 was a milestone for Scotland as they clinched their first Grand Slam triumph by defeating England at Murrayfield. Interestingly, the following year, Scotland turned the tables and became the first Home Union side to overthrow England at Twickenham.
However, the French team continued to grapple with challenges. In 1931, administrative issues within the French rugby infrastructure and revelations about payment to club-level players led to their withdrawal from the tournament. Consequently, the championship returned to being a domestic affair for the following eight years. France made their comeback to the tournament in 1939-40, but the outbreak of World War II delayed their re-entry by another eight years.
Forecasting the Six Nations 2024: Who's the smart money on for the championship victory?
After a less than stellar run at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, France and Ireland are raring for redemption at the 2024 Six Nations Tournament. It's no shocker that these two heavyweights are tipped as frontrunners this year. England, having clinched a respectable 3rd place at the World Cup, also carries a decent bet as a potential victor.
The historic Franco-Irish rivalry promises to add an extra edge to this year's Six Nations, with the duo having split the last two tournaments. In the previous face-off, Ireland held its fort in Dublin (32-19), handing France a setback that cost them the title. This year, the Irish are stepping into French territory, and squaring up against Les Bleus on their home turf is sure to up the ante. France, backed by a crop of exceptional talent and a stellar track record, is a force to be reckoned with.
The sting of their World Cup quarter-finals defeat still lingers, but it has only made Les Bleus more resolved. The opening home match against Ireland (in Marseille) offers a prime opportunity to start the tournament on a high, and having England in Lyon for the final bout could play to their advantage.
Considering their commendable run in the past year - World Cup hiccup notwithstanding - our money's on France to take the crown, with pre-tournament odds at 2.20. Our Six Nations 2024 forecast: a French victory! Six Nations 2024 title odds are: France - 2.25, Ireland - 2.50, England - 8.00, Scotland - 17.00, Wales - 26.00, Italy - 501.00.
If you want to , you can visit sites like Neds, which offer odds and predictions for upcoming matches. But as with any sport, it's important to remember that anything can happen on the field, and underdogs can surprise us all. So no matter who you're rooting for, make sure to tune in and catch all the action of this exciting annual rugby tournament!
