Six Nations 2023 schedule, results, standings, format of rugby union tournament

The Sporting News
 
Six Nations 2023 schedule, results, standings, format of rugby union tournament

This was the 24th edition of the modern Six Nations championship, which began in 2000 after Italy joined the old Five Nations. The tournament's roots date all the way back to 1883, when England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales contested the first Home Nations Championship.

For everything you need to know about the Six Nations championship, here at The Sporting News, we've got you covered.

Six Nations 2023 schedule, results

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Six Nations 2023 final standings

What time are Six Nations 2023 matches?

The 2023 Six Nations matches kick off in three different time slots for the first four weeks: 14:15 and 16:45 GMT on Saturdays, and 15:00 GMT on Sundays.

In the final week, all three games take place on Saturday, March 18. The kick-off times are 12:30, 14:45 and 17:00 GMT.

How to watch Six Nations 2023: TV channel, live stream

USA: All games are streaming live on Peacock and will also be available through fuboTV. However, they will also be repeated on CNBC on delay, usually by a couple of hours. 

UK: Matches will be shown on BBC and ITV, with S4C also broadcasting in Wales.

Australia: Six Nations coverage is provided by Stan Sport.

India: Premier Sports Asia is the main place to watch the Six Nations.

What is the Six Nations 2023 scoring system? 

Four points are awarded for each win, two for a draw, and zero for a loss — but there are some bonus points up for grabs.

If a team scores four tries or more in a game, they will be awarded a bonus point. Additionally, losing teams are awarded a bonus point if their margin of defeat is seven points or fewer. 

This means a winning team could take home either four or five points, while a losing team could earn zero, one or two.

What is a Grand Slam in Six Nations?

There is another means of getting some bonus points on the board. If a team wins all five of their matches, thereby completing what is known as a 'Grand Slam', then they are awarded three extra points. This has been achieved in 12 of the previous 22 editions of the Six Nations. 

In 2022, France finished top of the standings on 25 points, having won all of their matches and earned five bonus points by achieving the Grand Slam and via try-scoring reward system.

Six Nations 2023 betting odds, favourites 

Sky Bet, Caesars and Sports Interaction had Ireland, the world No.1 Test side, as their favourites to take home the Six Nations title before the action kicked off. Defending champions France were second-favourites.

Ireland were most heavily favoured by Sky Bet to win the Triple Crown and/or the Grand Slam, being backed at 5/4 to beat the other three Home Nations, and 3/1 to win all five of their games.

Odds correct as of early February

Six Nations rivalries, trophies, Triple Crown explained

For England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, a Triple Crown is achieved by winning all three of their games against the other so-called 'home nations'.

There are also six individual rivalry trophies up for grabs each year, contested between the following teams: 

Calcutta Cup: England vs Scotland

Millennium Trophy: England vs Ireland

Centenary Quaich: Scotland vs Ireland

Guiseppe Garibaldi Trophy: France vs Italy

Auld Alliance Trophy: Scotland vs France

Doddie Weir Cup: Scotland vs Wales

Cuttitta Cup: Scotland vs Italy

Who has won the most Six Nations championships?

Including the Home Nations, Five Nations and Six Nations championships, England have won the most titles overall.

They have won the tournament 29 times (with a further 10 shared titles), ahead of Wales (28 wins, 11 shared titles).

In the Six Nations era, England are the most successful side with seven trophies, just ahead of Wales and France on six. Ireland have won five Six Nations championships, with Scotland and Italy yet to win a title since the competition's modern format was introduced.