One of the world’s premier rugby tournaments, the Six Nations Championship offers exciting rugby union action that pits six European countries against each other. Featuring teams from Scotland, France, England, Wales, Ireland and Italy, this international tournament was the first of its kind to be held in the Northern Hemisphere and the winner of this prestigious event is crowned the ‘European Champions’.
The tournament which takes place between February and March was formerly known as the Five Nations Championship before the inclusion of Italy in 2000. The Six Nations Championship takes place annually and the format of the competition is such that each country must play each other once. During these games, the home field advantage alternates from year to year. For every game won, a team earns two points and one point for a draw. At the completion of all the games, the team with the highest points is crowned champions.
On five occasions, a team has managed to win all their respective games, known as a ‘Grand Slam’, on two consecutive years; England has achieved this three times, France twice and Whales once. The most number of Grand Slams by a single team is 12, an honour held by England. The ‘Triple Crown’ is the term given to when Scotland, Wales, England or Ireland, win all their matches against the others.
Matches in the tournament take place at stadiums in all six respective countries. These are Twickenham in England, Millennium Stadium in Wales, Murrayfield in Scotland, Stade de France, Aviva Stadium in Ireland and Stadio Olimpico in Italy. It is also of interest that the Women’s Six Nations Championship takes place during the same period of the men’s tournament.
During the Six Nations Championship there are also several individual competitions and famous rivalries that take place that add more drama and excitement to the tournament. The Calcutta Cup is the name given to the game featuring England and Scotland and is one that dates back to 1879. Inaugurated in 1988, the Millennium Trophy features England and Ireland, while the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy is handed to the victor of the encounter between Italy and France.
Those planning to take in games of the Six Nations Championship when in England can choose from a range of UK hotels such as those offered by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels UK. A renowned name in the hospitality industry, it also has centrally located London hotels that provide ideal bases for business and leisure travellers alike.