The Six Nations rugby competition was famous all around the world In 1883, it was started. At this time, six teams – England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, and Italy- battle it yearly to get the title of European champions.
And to be honest, It’s been full of amazing moments like surprising losses, big comebacks, and shows of great skill and determination that are a sight not to be missed. That is why people went crazy just to watch a single match, but remember that once the tickets are sold, it’s very challenging to get your hands on them.
If you want to learn more about it, join us as we explore the rich history of the Six Nations and present the tournament’s most memorable moments on a sentimental walk down memory lane.
How Many Six Nations Have Been There?
In the history of international rugby union competitions, the Six Nations Championship has a distinguished position.
From 1883 to 1909 and again from 1932 to 1939, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales competed in what was formerly known as the Home Nations Championship. It established the basic structure for contemporary rugby as the first-ever international competition.
The competition was renamed the Five Nations Championship in 1910 with the entry of France and continued until 1999. After transforming into the Six Nations Championship in 2000, the championship finally accepted Italy in the new millennium.
Its standing as the height of rugby prowess was cemented, and this enlargement did nothing but boost the tournament’s vibrancy and international appeal.
How Did the Six Nations Come Together?
The competition’s predecessor was the Home Nations Championship, which England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales participated in when it was first held in 1883. After France entered the game in 1910, it was dubbed the Five Nations.
The competition was also known by the Six Nations for more than 90 years until one day, Italy was asked to participate in a 2000 match, and that was the point when its name changed from the Six Nations Championship. This enlargement aimed to make the event more commercially appealing and competitive.
Which Country Has Won the Most Six Nations (2000-present)?
England is unquestionably in the lead since the Six Nations Championship was first held in 2000, with an incredible seven trophies under their belt.
Six Nations Past Winners
The Six Nations tournament’s winners from the start are shown in the following table. Let’s take a look at it:
England in 2000, 2001 in England, France in 2002, England in 2003, France in 2004, 2005 in Wales,
France in 2006, France in 2007, Wales in 2008, Ireland in 2009, France in 2010, 2011 in England, 2013 in Ireland, 2014 in Wales, Ireland in 2015, 2016 in England, 2020 No Winner, 2021 in Wales, 2022 in France, and Ireland in 2023.
What Was the Biggest Six Nations Comeback?
The most incredible Six Nations comeback occurred in 2019 between Scotland and England.
Scotland appeared down and out at Twickenham, trailing 31-7 at the interval.
But we witnessed a different Scotland in the second part. They put the spring in their step after two quick tries, leading to a 38-31 lead that ultimately ended in a 38-all tie.
And you want to know the best part? It’s still the highest-scoring draw in rugby history and one of the all-time classic Six Nations games.
The Most Significant Moments in the Six Nations So Far
- Ange Capuozzo will try v Wales in 2022
The 2022 Six Nations match between Wales and Italy was supposed to be a day of celebration for two legendary Welsh rugby players. They faced a Six Nations squad that had lost their previous 36 games, and the weather was ideal. It appeared to be a sure thing.
Josh Adams’ try with just ten minutes remaining in the game gave Wales an unfair advantage. Not only this, but Biggar’s successful conversion also gave the Welsh team a 21-15 lead despite their lackluster performance. It appeared as though they were back in charge of the match.
But then, with just one minute left, Ange Capuozzo came storming out of his half with a sensational run. With ease, he sidestepped Adams’ tackle and left Louis Rees-Zammit in his wake.
Capuozzo gave the ball to Edoardo Padovani, who scored the winning try just beneath the posts, rather than opting for the corner. Paolo Garbisi’s triumphant conversion turned one fairytale ending into a travesty and introduced an unexpected plot point.
Italy ultimately prevailed over Wales for the first time, having lost to them sixteen times. Their historic victory was also their first in Cardiff, Wales.
Additionally, it ended a seven-year streak in which they had failed to win a game in the Six Nations competition.
- Johnny Sexton’s 45m drop goal v France in 2018
For seventy minutes, the match in the soggy Paris weather seemed destined to end in a dull victory for the collected Irish team against the inept French squad. But everything was turned around when France launched an incredible counterattack, culminating in a fantastic try by Teddy Thomas that appeared to win the game for them.
Ireland was now faced with a challenge. They had just over five minutes to reply after enjoying a comfortable six-point advantage for most of the game before suddenly losing by a point.
With a tenacious resolve evoking memories of Munster, Ireland played nearly 40 phases in the pouring rain without making a mistake. It was enough despite the French team’s unwavering defense, which allowed them to only squeak forward to the 10-meter line.
In a stunning change of circumstances, Johnny Sexton demanded the ball at 3 minutes and 42 seconds into the half. But it doesn’t end here. He scored one of the most outrageous drop goals in Six Nations history from a stunning 45-meter out; pulling off an incredible victory sounds good.
Elliot Daly’s try v Wales in 2015
Ben Youngs’ try in the eighteenth minute gave England the lead after controlling possession for most of the opening quarter. But throughout the half, Wales gathered steam and was rewarded with a magnificent try from Liam Williams, giving them a 13–8 lead at the break.
Following the interval, Wales kept up the attack, but England took the lead when Owen Farrell converted a penalty kick in the 56th minute. Leigh Halfpenny’s successful penalty kick in retaliation for Wales not long afterward increased the lead again. Owen Farrell’s third penalty cut the lead to two points with just 10 minutes remaining, setting up a suspenseful finish.
Suddenly, the ball was turned over in a stressful time as England found themselves deep in Welsh territory. George Ford kicked the ball downfield quickly, landing precisely in his waiting hands.
Then Ford quickly got the ball back, and in a flash of lightning-fast skill, he hit a precisely timed throw to Owen Farrell, who then hit a pinpoint, bullet-like pass to Elliot Daly. In the game’s last moments, Daly took advantage of a situation where he could outmaneuver.
Alex Cuthbert was on the outside and skillfully touched down in the corner to secure the winning try. With this remarkable performance, England won in Cardiff.
Conclusion
So, are you excited about 2024 to bring you even more incredible Six Nations moments?
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