Everything you need to know about each Six Nations team
The Six Nations is arguably the most prestigious tournament in rugby union. Every year, the ‘top’ six nations in world rugby – England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales – battle it out to get their hands on the trophy.
The Six Nations betting odds suggest that the current holders Ireland are the favourites to regain their title, but they’ll have to be wary of the other teams in the competition. Here’s everything you need to know about the teams in the Six Nations.
England
With 28 outright wins and 10 shared wins, England are the most successful team to compete in the tournament. Considering that the rules of rugby union were created in the country, it should come as no surprise that the English team is one of the most successful in the Six Nations, and in world rugby.
Throughout their history, the England national rugby union team have won multiple honours with the Six Nations making up the majority of their trophy cabinet. The most recent tournament was a disappointment for the team as they finished in 5th place. However, the team have gone on an impressive run recently and will be determined to bounce back.
France
The popularity of the sport in the late 19th century meant that other countries around the world were setting up their own. The French were one of the first mainland-European countries which adopted the sport and soon setup a team to compete in the Olympics, where they impressed. Their success on the international stage were officially invited to join the ‘Home Nations’ tournament, which was officially renamed as the ‘Five Nations’.
Since joining the tournament, France have had mixed success. In the early years of their participation, the team would often finish in last place and pick up one win at most. Since the 1960s the team have been much more successful in the competition, winning 17 tournaments outright and sharing eight. The 2018 tournament was a disappointment for the side as they finished in 4th and scored the least tries. They’ll be determined to bounce back in 2019.
Ireland
Although Ireland are one of the original four teams which formed the competition, they are least successful side of the ‘Home Nations’ and have even been overtaken by France in the past couple of decades. However, last year, Ireland enjoyed their most successful tournament in nine years as they secured a Grand Slam victory. It was the third time in their history that they achieved this feat.
The Irish are in red-hot form at the moment and very few teams look capable of stopping them.
Image Source: sportskeeda.com
Italy
Back in the 1990s, Italy built a formidable side that held its own against Five Nations opposition and also recorded some impressive victories against Ireland. Their performances meant that the national team were admitted into the tournament in 2000. Unfortunately, their admission to the tournament also come at a time where their best players ended up retiring from the game.
Since joining the Six Nations, the national time has had a dreadful time in the competition, often finishing in last place and very rarely picking up a single win. Barring a miracle, it is a safe bet to assume that another Wooden Spoon and whitewash finishing is on the cards for the Italians.
Scotland
Despite winning the last ever ‘Five Nations’ tournament in 1999, Scotland have had a miserable time in the Six Nations tournament. Since Italy’s introduced in 2000, Scotland are the only team of the ‘Five Nations’ which have failed to win the prestigious trophy. During this time period, the side have been awarded the ‘Wooden Spoon’ four times, and have been whitewashed in 2004, 2012, and 2015. Overall, it’s safe to say that the turn of the millennium hasn’t been kind to the national team.
However, Scotland’s performance in the 2018 Six Nations gives the fans some hope. It was their best performance since the 2006 tournament as the team won three out of five games, finishing in third place. Although England and France both underperformed last year, Scotland’s performance showed that they can’t be taken lightly.
Wales
Wales are the second most successful side to compete in the championship, having just two wins less than England. The side have had an interesting history in the competition and enjoyed two ‘Golden Eras’ in the 20th century. Despite this, they’ve also had their lows and only won the two tournaments towards the end of the century.
The side has seen somewhat of a revival since 2005 when they managed to win their first championship in 11 years. Since then, the national team have enjoyed success in the competition by winning it three more times. The team finished in second place earlier this year, and will be hoping to go one step further next year.
