The 2024 Six Nations showcased the best of European rugby from the opening match to the final whistle.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, here’s a rundown of the key highlights that made this year’s championship special.
Ireland Create History
For the first time in history, fans with Six Nations tickets saw a team retain the Six Nations title.
Their journey began with a commanding 38-17 victory over France in Paris, setting the tone for their campaign. They displayed a blend of tactical brilliance and raw power throughout the tournament, securing wins against Italy, Wales, and Scotland.
The only hiccup came in a narrow defeat to England, but by then, their path to glory was already well paved.
France Finish Strong
France started their campaign on a shaky note with a heavy defeat to Ireland but bounced back impressively. Their thrilling 33-31 victory over England in Lyon was a testament to their resilience and flair. Despite the initial setback, Les Bleus secured second place, showcasing their growth and potential.
The French fans with Six Nations tickets missed the likes of their captain Antonie Dupont but are optimistic that they can do one better next season.
Mixed Feelings for England
England’s performance in the 2024 Championship was a tale of highs and lows. They began with a close win over Italy and managed to edge past Wales but suffered defeats to Scotland and France.
The victory over Ireland was a highlight, marking their first win against the Irish since 2020. However, inconsistency plagued their campaign, reflecting the ongoing rebuilding process under head coach Steve Borthwick.
Scotland’s Resurgence
Scotland continued to build on their recent improvements, finishing third in the standings. They kicked off with a narrow win against Wales – their first in Cardiff since 2002 – and delivered a memorable 30-21 victory over England.
Although they faced tough losses to France and Ireland, their spirited performances, notably the win over England, underscored their ability to produce the goods on the big stage (even if the wait to do so consistently is ongoing).
Dark Horses Italy
Italy, often seen as the underdogs, had a mixed Championship but managed to avoid the wooden spoon.
Their standout moment came with a 31-29 win over Scotland, demonstrating their ability to challenge the traditionally stronger teams. Despite losses to Ireland, France, and England, the Azzurri showed they were unhappy to make up the numbers.
Their win against Wales – their second in a row in Cardiff – emphasized that point, sparking new interest in those with Six Nations tickets from their home country.
A Disappointing Wales Campaign
Wales endured a tough tournament, failing to secure a single win and ultimately receiving the wooden spoon for the first time since 2003. Close defeats to Scotland and England were tough to swallow, and the loss to Italy at home capped off a frustrating campaign.
It’s clear that Wales needs to rebuild significantly as it looks towards the future, but Warren Gatland’s necessity for blooding a young group of players could pay off shortly.
The Lions Factor
The 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations will significantly influence Andy Farrell’s selection for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia later in the year. As head coach, Farrell will closely monitor performances and form throughout the Championship.
Only the most partisan of non-Irish fans will accuse Farrell of bias if and when his squad’s pie chart is predominantly green for the tour, given the exceptional few years Ireland has had.
Despite Wales’ travails, this far out from the tour to Australia, there are reasons for optimism. Should Aaron Wainwright recapture the form he showed in 2024, for example, he could be a key figure in the Lions’ Test pack.
Will England wing Tommy Freeman be allowed to roam, presumably on the opposite wing to James Lowe?
It’s speculation, but that’s half the fun of the long and compelling build-up to a British and Irish Lions tour.
This is without mentioning the fact that we’ll get to see all six teams—and the Lions’ opponents in 2025, the Wallabies—in action during this year’s Autumn Nations Series, which looks set to be the most memorable November series yet.
U20 Six Nations Confirmed
Along with the top-tier tournament, fans can buy Six Nations tickets for the U20 tournament, which will play out in a similar window to the main event.
Starting on January 30, the competition will act as the curtain-raiser for international rugby next year, closely followed by the Guinness Men’s Six Nations. Players will also be looking to stake their claim for British and Irish Lions selection, with a tour to Australia in the summer.
Then, the record-breaking Guinness Women’s Six Nations returns, leading into the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, in what could turn out to be a watershed moment for the women’s game.
The first fixture in the U20 Six Nations Championship will see Ireland host reigning champions England, fresh from winning the World Rugby U20 Championship.
Italy plays Scotland in the second game of round one before France hosts Wales to close out the first set of fixtures.
The five rounds of U20 Six Nations fixtures mirror the elite men’s competition. However, the U20 Championship culminates with a series of fixtures under the Friday night lights on March 14 before Super Saturday assumes the stage the following day for the conclusion of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations.
An extensive list of international broadcasters and comprehensive coverage on Six Nations Rugby’s social and digital channels will ensure that international fans have every opportunity to follow next year’s Championship.
In the Six Nations’ host markets, BBC and S4C (Welsh language) will cover the Championship for UK fans; RTE and Virgin Media will cover the games in Ireland.
In France, L’Équipe will broadcast the entire Championship, and Sky Italia will show all the matches in Italy.
The U20 Six Nations offers young players and their teams a valuable platform to gain competitive experience and exposure to elite rugby as they chart their journey along the rugby development pathway.
Over 400 players from all six nations, including unions and federations, have graduated from the U20 Championship, earning senior caps in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations.
Offering a vital progression pathway, the U18 Six Nations Festivals have led to 295 players jumping from the U18 level to the U20 Six Nations since 2018.
Commenting on the return of the U20 Six Nations Championship next January, Julie Paterson, Chief of Rugby at Six Nations Rugby, said: “Each year, the U20 Championship, together with the U18 Festivals, highlight the exciting young players representing each of the Six Nations teams.
“In terms of the U20 Six Nations, having over 400 players go on to achieve senior caps for their respective countries shows how vital the Championship is as a development platform for the next generation of players and the Unions and Federations.
