Six Nations Championship#Records

The tournament was first played in 1883 as the Home Nations Championship among the then four Home Nations of the United Kingdom – England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. However, England was excluded from the 1888 and 1889 tournaments due to their refusal to join the International Rugby Football Board. The tournament then became the Five Nations Championship in 1910 with the addition of France. The tournament was expanded in 2000 to become the Six Nations Championship with the addition of Italy.

Following the relative success of the Tier 2 nations in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, there were calls by Octavian Morariu, the president of Rugby Europe, to let Georgia and Romania join the Six Nations due to their consistent success in the European Nations Cup and ability to compete in the Rugby World Cup.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/sixnations/11495245/Open-up-the-Six-Nations-and-let-Georgia-in.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325210959/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/sixnations/11495245/Open-up-the-Six-Nations-and-let-Georgia-in.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 March 2015|title=Open up the Six Nations and let Georgia in|date=25 March 2015|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=23 September 2015|last1=Brown|first1=Oliver}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/oct/26/six-nations-georgia-romania|title=let in Georgia and Romania, says governing body|work=The Guardian|access-date=25 February 2016|archive-date=24 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524111227/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/oct/26/six-nations-georgia-romania|url-status=live}}

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The tournament begins on the first weekend in February and culminates on the second or third Saturday in March. Each team plays every other team once (a total of 15 matches), with home ground advantage alternating from one year to the next. Before the 2017 tournament, two points were awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss. Unlike many other rugby union competitions, a bonus point system had not previously been used.

A bonus point system was first used in the 2017 Championship. The system is similar to the one used in most rugby championships (0 points for a loss, 2 for a draw, 4 for a win, 1 for scoring four or more tries in a match, and 1 for losing by 7 points or fewer). The only difference is that a team that wins all their games (a Grand Slam) are automatically awarded 3 extra points - to ensure they cannot be overtaken by a defeated team on bonus points.

Before 1994, teams equal on match points shared the championship. Since then, ties have been broken by considering the points difference (total points scored minus total points conceded) of the teams. The rules of the championship further provide that if teams tie on both match points and points difference, the team that scored the most tries wins the championship. Were this decider to be a tie, the tying teams would share the championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/championship-information_rules.php |title=Rules of the RBS 6 Nations Championship |publisher=RBS 6 Nations |access-date=24 February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509142546/http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/championship-information_rules.php |archive-date=9 May 2008 }} To date, however, match points and points difference have been sufficient to decide the championship.

The Wooden Spoon is a metaphorical award given to the team that finishes in last place; a team which loses all their matches is said to have been "whitewashed".{{Cite web|date=16 March 2024|title=Six Nations: Wales look to avoid the Wooden Spoon - but what is it?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-68575509|publisher=BBC}} Since the inaugural Six Nations tournament in 2000, only England and Ireland have avoided finishing last. Italy have finished last 18 times in the Six Nations era, and have lost all their matches in 12 tournaments.

File:The Six Nations Championship Trophy at the Thomas Lyte workshop.jpg

The winners of the Six Nations are presented with the Championship Trophy.{{cite web|url=http://www.rbs6nations.com/trophy_english.htm |title=Six Nations Championship Trophy Trust |publisher=RBS 6 Nations |access-date=5 February 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202013827/http://www.rbs6nations.com/trophy_english.htm |archive-date=2 February 2007 }} This was originally conceived by the Earl of Westmorland, and was first presented to the winners of the 1993 Five Nations Championship; France. It was a sterling silver trophy, designed by James Brent-Ward and made by a team of eight silversmiths from the London firm William Comyns. The current championship trophy for the Six Nations Championship was designed and made in 2015 by Thomas Lyte, London silversmiths and Royal Warrant holders to His Majesty the King.{{Cite web |title=The Phoenix Luxury Co Ltd T/A Thomas Lyte {{!}} Royal Warrant Holders Association |url=https://www.royalwarrant.org/company/phoenix-luxury-co-ltd-ta-thomas-lyte |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=www.royalwarrant.org}}

The old trophy had 15 side panels representing the 15 members of the team and with three handles to represent the three officials (referee and two touch judges). The cup has a capacity of 3.75 litres – sufficient for five bottles of champagne. Within the mahogany base is a concealed drawer which contains six alternative finials, each a silver replica of one of the team emblems, which can be screwed on the detachable lid.

A new trophy was introduced for the 2015 Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/six-nations-2015/rugby/story/254215.html|title=New Six Nations trophy unveiled|date=28 January 2015|publisher=ESPN|access-date=28 January 2015|archive-date=9 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309182544/http://en.espn.co.uk/six-nations-2015/rugby/story/254215.html|url-status=live}}

Designed and handcrafted over 200 hours by Thomas Lyte silversmiths in the company's London workshop, it replaced the old Five Nations Trophy which had been awarded to the winners since 1993. The trophy was hand spun from a single sheet of 925 sterling silver and contains over fifty individual pieces. It stands at a height of 75cm and has a distinctive six-sided design; each face representing the nations that compete annually for European rugby’s most prestigious prize. Ireland were the last team to win the old trophy and the first team to win the new one.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/will-ireland-be-getting-their-hands-on-this-new-trophy-for-the-rbs-six-nations-unveiled-30944386.html|title=Will Ireland be getting their hands on this? New trophy for the RBS Six Nations unveiled|date=28 January 2015|work=Irish Independent|access-date=28 January 2015|archive-date=9 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109181951/http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/will-ireland-be-getting-their-hands-on-this-new-trophy-for-the-rbs-six-nations-unveiled-30944386.html|url-status=live}}

A team that wins all its games wins the 'Grand Slam'.

The Triple Crown may only be won by one of the Home Nations of England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales, when one nation wins all three of their matches against the others. The Triple Crown dates back to the original Home Nations Championship, but the physical Triple Crown Trophy has been awarded only since 2006, when the Royal Bank of Scotland (the primary sponsor of the competition) commissioned Hamilton & Inches to design and create a dedicated Triple Crown Trophy. As of 2025, the trophy has been won five times by Ireland, four times by Wales, three times by England, and yet to be won by Scotland.

Several individual competitions take place under the umbrella of the tournament. Some of these trophies are also awarded for other matches between the two teams outside the Six Nations. Only Scotland play for a 'rivalry' or challenge trophy in every Six Nations match, as well as for the oldest such trophy, the Calcutta Cup. Wales became the last nation to contest such a trophy, the Doddie Weir Cup in 2018, while the newest such trophy is the Cuttitta Cup introduced between Scotland and Italy in 2022.

Games which form part of the Triple Crown are marked ^TC.

Currently the following matches have no additional trophy contested:

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As of the 2025 tournament, Six Nations matches are held in the following stadiums:

The opening of Aviva Stadium in May 2010 ended the arrangement with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) that allowed the all-Ireland governing body for rugby union, the Irish Rugby Football Union, to use the GAA's flagship stadium, Croke Park, for its international matches. This arrangement was made necessary by the 2007 closure and subsequent demolition of Ireland's traditional home at Lansdowne Road; Aviva Stadium was built on the former Lansdowne Road site. During this construction, Croke Park was the largest of the Six Nations grounds, with a capacity of 82,300.

In 2012 Italy moved their home games from the 32,000 seat Stadio Flaminio, to Stadio Olimpico, also in Rome, with a capacity of 72,000.

The French Rugby Federation (FFR) had planned to build a new stadium of its own, seating 82,000 in the southern suburbs of Paris,{{cite web|url=http://www.ffr.fr/index.php/ffr/rugby_francais/projet_stade |title=Projet Stade |publisher=French Rugby Federation |language=fr |access-date=6 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615060530/http://www.ffr.fr/index.php/ffr/rugby_francais/projet_stade |archive-date=15 June 2012 }} because of frustrations with their tenancy of Stade de France.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/9229158.stm |title=French national rugby team plan to quit Stade de France |work=BBC Sport |date=25 November 2010 |access-date=6 July 2012 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807140513/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/9229158.stm |url-status=live }} However the project was cancelled in December 2016.{{cite news|title=Rugby-French federation drops plans for new stadium|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-rugby-union-france-stadium-idUKKBN14322M|work=Reuters|access-date=4 February 2017|date=14 December 2016|archive-date=5 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205100259/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-rugby-union-france-stadium-idUKKBN14322M|url-status=dead}} France played their 2018 match against Italy at Stade Vélodrome in Marseille.{{Cite web|title=France to host Italy in Marseille|url=https://rugby365.com/countries/france/france-to-host-italy-in-marseille/|access-date=26 October 2020|website=rugby365.com|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030021817/https://rugby365.com/countries/france/france-to-host-italy-in-marseille/|url-status=live}}

In 2020, Wales played their final game at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli due to the Principality Stadium being used as Dragon's Heart Hospital in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|date=23 September 2020|title=Wales to play at Parc y Scarlets - Welsh Rugby Union|url=https://www.wru.wales/2020/09/wales-to-play-at-parc-y-scarlets/|access-date=26 October 2020|publisher=Welsh Rugby Union|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030142858/https://www.wru.wales/2020/09/wales-to-play-at-parc-y-scarlets/|url-status=live}}

In 2024, France was unable to use the Stade de France for their Six Nations home games due to ongoing preparations for its use in the 2024 Summer Olympics.{{Cite web|date=2 February 2024|title=Why France will play none of their Six Nations home games at the Stade de France|url=https://www.planetrugby.com/news/why-france-will-play-none-of-their-six-nations-home-games-at-stade-france|publisher=Planet Rugby}} Instead they played their three home matches at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, and Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon.

{{Six Nations wins}}

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Overall

Bold indicates that the team did not win any matches

Match records (Six Nations era 2000–2025)

Head-to-head records (Five Nations Championship)

{{see|List of Six Nations Championship Player of the Championship winners}}

{{Main|List of Six Nations Championship records}}

Ireland's Johnny Sexton holds the record for most points in the competition, with 566. England's Jonny Wilkinson holds the records for individual points in one match (35 points against Italy in 2001) and one season with 89 (scored in 2001).

The record for tries in a match is held by George Campbell Lindsay, who scored five tries for Scotland against Wales in 1887.{{cite news|url=http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2005/02/03/1107409982373.html |title=Six Nations records |access-date=8 August 2007 |work=Rugby Heaven |date=1 February 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113120726/http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2005/02/03/1107409982373.html |archive-date=13 January 2006 }} England's Cyril Lowe, Scotland's Ian Smith and France's Louis Bielle-Biarrey jointly hold the record for tries in one season with 8 (Lowe in 1914, Smith in 1925, Bielle-Biarrey in 2025).{{cite web |title=France's Bielle-Biarrey breaks Six Nations try record |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c4g741g0wwgo#:~:text=Les%20Bleus%20ended%20this%20year's,91%20scored%20two%20years%20ago. |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=16 March 2025 |date=15 March 2025}} Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll has the Championship record for tries with 26.

The record for appearances is held by Sergio Parisse of Italy, with 69 appearances,{{cite web |title=Records |url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/statistics/records/ |website=Six Nations Rugby |access-date=16 March 2019 |archive-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103012009/https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/statistics/records/ |url-status=live }} between 2004 and 2019.

The most points scored by a team in one match was 80 points, scored by England against Italy in 2001. England also scored the most points in a season in 2001 with 229. France scored the most tries in a season, with 30 in 2025. Wales hold the record for fewest tries conceded during a season in the Six Nations era, conceding only 2 in 5 games in 2008, but the 1977 Grand Slam-winning France team did not concede a try in their four matches. Wales hold the record for the longest time without conceding a try, at 358 minutes in the 2013 tournament.

The Championship is run from headquarters in Dublin, Ireland by Six Nations Rugby Ltd.{{cite web|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/championship/contact_us.php|title=Contact Us|website=sixnationsrugby.com|access-date=12 January 2018|archive-date=31 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131163201/https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/championship/contact_us.php|url-status=live}}

Former England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) CEO, Tom Harrison,{{Cite web |date=27 January 2023 |title=Tom Harrison Appointed Six Nations Rugby CEO |url=https://media.sixnationsrugby.com/press-releases/tom-harrison-appointed-six-nations-rugby-ceo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901121033/https://media.sixnationsrugby.com/press-releases/tom-harrison-appointed-six-nations-rugby-ceo/ |archive-date=1 September 2023 |access-date=1 September 2023 |website=Six Nations Rugby}} was appointed the CEO of Six Nations Rugby in January 2023 following the resignation of Benjamin Morel in November 2022.{{Cite web |date=28 November 2022 |title=Six Nations Rugby CEO Ben Morel to Step Down at the End of the Season After Five Years at the Helm |url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2022/11/28/six-nations-rugby-ceo-ben-morel-to-step-down-at-the-end-of-the-season-after-five-years-at-the-helm/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128151139/https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2022/11/28/six-nations-rugby-ceo-ben-morel-to-step-down-at-the-end-of-the-season-after-five-years-at-the-helm/ |archive-date=28 November 2022 |access-date=1 September 2023 |website=Six Nations Rugby}} Morel had held the position of CEO since November 2018,{{cite news |url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2018/08/23/six-nations-rugby-appoint-chief-executive-officer/ |title=Six Nations Rugby Appoint Chief Executive Officer |website=sixnationsrugby.com |publisher=Six Nations Rugby |access-date=6 January 2018 |archive-date=31 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131163158/https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2018/08/23/six-nations-rugby-appoint-chief-executive-officer/ |url-status=live }} replacing John Feehan, who stepped down after sixteen years as CEO in April 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2018/04/20/john-feehan-steps-down-as-ceo-of-six-nations/ |title=John Feehan Steps Down as CEO of Six Nations |website=sixnationsrugby.com |publisher=Six Nations Rugby |access-date=6 January 2018 |archive-date=31 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131091548/https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2018/04/20/john-feehan-steps-down-as-ceo-of-six-nations/ |url-status=live }} Harrison's tenure as CEO commenced from April 2023.{{Cite web |last=Cameron |first=Ian |date=27 January 2023 |title=Six Nations Reveal Ben Morel's Replacement as CEO |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/six-nations-reveal-ben-morels-replacement-as-ceo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127105300/https://www.rugbypass.com/news/six-nations-reveal-ben-morels-replacement-as-ceo/ |archive-date=27 January 2023 |access-date=1 September 2023 |website=RugbyPass}}

Ronan Dunne was appointed as the Chairman for Six Nations Rugby in November 2021 with his tenure commencing from January 2022. Dunne has responsibility for the commercial and marketing operations for both the men's and women's Six Nations tournaments.{{Cite web |date=26 November 2021 |title=Six Nations Rugby Announces Appointment of Ronan Dunne as Chairman of the Board |url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2021/11/26/six-nations-rugby-announces-appointment-of-ronan-dunne-as-chairman-of-the-board/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201201718/https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2021/11/26/six-nations-rugby-announces-appointment-of-ronan-dunne-as-chairman-of-the-board/ |archive-date=1 December 2021 |access-date=1 September 2023 |website=Six Nations Rugby}}

One of the most important rugby union tournaments in the world, the Six Nations Championship is broadcast in various countries in addition to the six participating nations.{{cite web |url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/tv |title=TV/Broadcast |website=Six Nations Rugby |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329173446/https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/tv/ |url-status=live }}

In the United Kingdom, the BBC has long covered the tournament, broadcasting all matches (apart from England home matches between 1997 and 2002, which were shown live by Sky Sports with highlights on the BBC) until 2015. In addition, Welsh language coverage of broadcasts matches featuring the Welsh team shown by the BBC are shown on S4C in Wales in the United Kingdom.{{cite news|last=Brown|first=David|title=BBC reclaims Six Nations rugby from Sky with £70m three-year contract|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bbc-reclaims-six-nations-rugby-from-sky-with-70m-three-year-contract-184140.html|website=The Independent|access-date=28 February 2017|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301093031/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bbc-reclaims-six-nations-rugby-from-sky-with-70m-three-year-contract-184140.html|url-status=live}} Between 2003 and 2015, the BBC covered every match live on BBC Sport either on BBC One or BBC Two with highlights also on the BBC Sport website and either on the BBC Red Button or late at night on BBC Two.

On 9 July 2015, in reaction to bids by Sky for the rights beginning in 2018, the BBC ended its contract two seasons early, and renegotiated a joint contract with ITV Sport for rights to the Six Nations from 2016 through 2021. ITV acquired rights to England, Ireland and Italy home matches, while the BBC retained rights to France, Scotland and Wales home matches. By ending its contract early, the BBC saved around £30 million, while the new contract generated £20 million in additional revenue for the Six Nations.{{Cite news|last=Rees|first=Paul|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jul/09/bbc-itv-join-forces-sky-six-nations|title=BBC and ITV join forces to stop Sky winning Six Nations broadcast rights|date=9 July 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=30 March 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=27 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127162103/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jul/09/bbc-itv-join-forces-sky-six-nations|url-status=live}}

With the end of the contract nearing, speculation once again emerged in 2020 that Sky was pursuing rights to the Six Nations from 2022 onward; under the Ofcom "listed events" rules, rights to the tournament can be held by a pay television channel if delayed broadcasts or highlights are made available on free-to-air television.{{cite web |last1=Woodhouse |first1=John |url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN00802/SN00802.pdf |title=Broadcasting: listed sporting events |website=House of Commons Library |date=3 May 2022 |access-date=6 July 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128062622/https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN00802/SN00802.pdf |archive-date=28 January 2023}} It was reported that the bid for CVC Equity Partners to purchase a stake in the Six Nations was being hindered by a desire for a more lucrative broadcast contract; a call for the Six Nations to be moved to Category A (which requires live coverage to air free-to-air) was rejected.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/six-nations-uk-tv-rights-crown-jewels-dcms-bbc-itv|title=UK government committee calls for Six Nations to be given 'crown jewels' status|website=SportsPro Media|date=16 March 2020|access-date=30 March 2020|archive-date=26 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226180102/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/six-nations-uk-tv-rights-crown-jewels-dcms-bbc-itv|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/six-nations-rugby-uk-tv-rights-crown-jewels-bbc-itv-sky-bids|title=Pay-TV free to move on Six Nations after UK gov rejects 'crown jewels' bid|website=SportsPro Media|date=23 March 2020|access-date=30 March 2020|archive-date=24 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324055202/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/six-nations-rugby-uk-tv-rights-crown-jewels-bbc-itv-sky-bids|url-status=live}} In May 2021, the BBC and ITV renewed their contracts through 2025. The BBC will continue to broadcast home matches from Scotland and Wales and all women's and under-20s matches, with ITV airing England, France, Ireland and Italy home matches.{{Cite news|title=Six Nations set to stay on BBC & ITV|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57201738|access-date=21 May 2021|archive-date=21 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521150401/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57201738|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Six Nations to remain on BBC and ITV in TV rights renewal, says report|url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/six-nations-rugby-bbc-itv-tv-rights-renewal-fta-cvc|access-date=7 June 2021|website=SportsPro Media|date=19 May 2021|archive-date=18 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818054444/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/six-nations-rugby-bbc-itv-tv-rights-renewal-fta-cvc/|url-status=live}} In 2025, the deal was further extended until the 2029 tournament in a deal which would see BBC retain 5 matches and ITV also gain rights to England matches played in Scotland or Wales.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-14 |title=Six Nations rights deal: BBC and ITV agree four-year partnership to 2029 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c0kg15j0kl6o |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

France, Ireland, and Italy listed the Six Nations as a major event with cultural significance and enacted national and EU laws to ensure coverage would be available on free-to-air channels.{{cite web |url=https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/application-and-implementation-avmsd |title=Application and implementation of AVMSD: Major events |website=European Commission |date=7 June 2022 |access-date=6 July 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706134246/https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/application-and-implementation-avmsd |archive-date=6 July 2023}}

In Ireland, each of Ireland's games in the Six Nations may be held by a pay television channel, if the match is delayed broadcast and in full on free-to-air television.{{cite web |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1530604639083&uri=CELEX:52018XG0111(01) |title=Measures adopted by Ireland pursuant to Article 14 of Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council and referred to recital 1 of Decision C (2017) 2898 of 8 May 2017 / S.I. No 465 of 2017 Broadcasting Act 2009 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2017 |website=European Commission |date=25 October 2017 |access-date=6 July 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519035232/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1530604639083&uri=CELEX%3A52018XG0111(01) |archive-date=19 May 2023}} RTÉ have broadcast the championship since RTÉ's inception and continued to do so until 2017, while TG4 televised highlights. However, in late 2015 RTÉ's free-to-air rival TV3 was awarded the rights for every game from the Six Nations on Irish television from 2018 to 2021.{{cite news|title=RTÉ loses rights to 6 Nations|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2015/1111/741148-tv3-secures-rights-to-six-nations-from-2018/|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=28 January 2016|date=11 November 2015|archive-date=6 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106113832/http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2015/1111/741148-tv3-secures-rights-to-six-nations-from-2018/|url-status=live}} In 2022 it was announced that RTÉ and Virgin Media would share broadcasting rights.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2022/0119/1274600-rte-and-virgin-media-confirm-six-nations-coverage/|title=RTÉ and Virgin Media confirm Six Nations coverage|date=19 January 2022|via=www.rte.ie|access-date=24 January 2022|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124214240/https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2022/0119/1274600-rte-and-virgin-media-confirm-six-nations-coverage/|url-status=live}}

In France, the entire Six Nations rugby tournament must appear on free-to-air television.{{cite web |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2007.180.01.0033.01.ENG |title=2007/480/EC: Commission Decision of 25 June 2007 on the compatibility with Community law of measures taken by France pursuant to Article 3a(1) of Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities |website=European Commission |date=22 December 2004 |access-date=6 July 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518191338/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2007.180.01.0033.01.ENG |archive-date=18 May 2023}} France Télévisions has covered the competition in France.

In Italy, Six Nations rugby matches involving the Italian national team must be broadcast on free-to-air television.{{cite web |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2012.187.01.0057.01.ENG |title=2012/394/EU: Commission Decision of 21 December 2011 on the capability with EU law of measures to be taken by Italy pursuant to Article 14 Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) |website=European Commission |date=21 December 2011 |access-date=6 July 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521201844/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2012.187.01.0057.01.ENG |archive-date=21 May 2023}} Sky Italia broadcasts all matches while free-to-air TV8 only covers Italy fixtures.

In the United States, NBC Sports broadcasts matches in English.{{cite news |url=https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2023/02/01/nbc-sports-presents-coverage-of-2023-guinness-six-nations-championship-rugby-beginning-with-opening-round-this-weekend-on-peacock-and-cnbc |title=NBC Sports presents coverage of 2023 Guinness Six Nations Championship Rugby, beginning with opening round this weekend on Peacock and CNBC |date=1 February 2023 |website=NBC Sports Group |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624172335/https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2023/02/01/nbc-sports-presents-coverage-of-2023-guinness-six-nations-championship-rugby-beginning-with-opening-round-this-weekend-on-peacock-and-cnbc/ |url-status=live }} The tournament is also broadcast on DAZN in Canada, Premier Sports Asia in East and Southeast Asia, Sky Sport in New Zealand, Stan Sport in Australia and SuperSport in South Africa.{{cite news |url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments/rugby-six-nations/six-nations-live-stream-how-to-watch-from-anywhere-114850 |title=Six Nations live stream: How to watch from anywhere |last=Dymock |first=Alan |date=18 March 2023 |magazine=Rugby World |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621192740/https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments/rugby-six-nations/six-nations-live-stream-how-to-watch-from-anywhere-114850 |url-status=live }}

In 2024 the Six Nations teams featured in a Netflix documentary Six Nations: Full Contact.{{Cite news |last=Bull |first=Andy |date=2024-01-22 |title='Rugby needs all the help it can get': sport hunts F1-style Netflix uplift |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/jan/22/rugby-union-netflix-series-six-nations-full-contact-f1 |access-date=2024-02-01 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} In February 2024, the show was green lit for a second season.{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=Charlie |title=Six Nations to land second Netflix season of 'Full Contact' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2024/02/20/six-nations-netflix-second-series-full-contact-england/ |website=The Telegraph |date=20 February 2024 |access-date=20 February 2024}} In January 2025, the tournament organisers confirmed that Netflix would not be taking up the option to produce a third series.{{cite web |last1=Richardson |first1=Chris |title=Netflix has canned Six Nations: Full Contact after two series – it is easy to see why |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2025/01/29/netflix-six-nations-full-contact-two-series-review/ |publisher=The Telegraph |access-date=8 February 2025}}

Until 1998, the competition had no title sponsor. Sponsorship rights were sold to Lloyds TSB Group for the 1999 tournament and the competition was titled the Lloyds TSB 5 Nations and Lloyds TSB 6 Nations until 2002.{{cite web|url=https://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/lloyds-tsb-backs-five-nations/|title=Lloyds-TSB backs Five Nations - Money Marketing|date=7 July 1998|website=moneymarketing.co.uk|access-date=18 March 2017|archive-date=19 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319195749/https://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/lloyds-tsb-backs-five-nations/|url-status=live}}

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group took over sponsorship from 2003 until 2017, with the competition being branded the RBS 6 Nations. A new title sponsor was sought for the 2018 tournament and beyond.{{cite news |title=Title Sponsorship, Six Nations Championship |url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/news/30182.php |website=sixnationsrugby.com |publisher=Six Nations Rugby |date=3 June 2016 |access-date=11 March 2018 |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905035938/https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/news/30182.php |url-status=live }} However, after struggling to find a new sponsor, organisers agreed a one-year extension at a reduced rate. As the RBS brand was being phased out, the tournament was named after the NatWest banking subsidiary, becoming the NatWest 6 Nations.{{cite news |first=Russell |last=Jackson |url=https://www.scotsman.com/business/companies/financial/natwest-to-sponsor-six-nations-rugby-tournament-for-one-year-1-4608389 |title=NatWest to sponsor Six Nations rugby tournament – for one year |newspaper=The Scotsman |access-date=21 September 2018 |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905102053/https://www.scotsman.com/business/companies/financial/natwest-to-sponsor-six-nations-rugby-tournament-for-one-year-1-4608389 |url-status=live }}

On 7 December 2018, Guinness was announced as the Championship's new title sponsor, with the competition to be named the Guinness Six Nations from 2019 to 2024.{{cite web |title=Guinness announced as title sponsor of Rugby's Greatest Championship |url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2018/12/07/guinness-announced-as-title-sponsor-of-rugbys-greatest-championship/ |website=sixnationsrugby.com |publisher=Six Nations Rugby |access-date=7 December 2018 |date=7 December 2018 |archive-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422014113/https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2018/12/07/guinness-announced-as-title-sponsor-of-rugbys-greatest-championship/ |url-status=live }} Due to the Loi Évin laws which prohibit alcohol sponsorship in sport, "Guinness" cannot be used as part of the branding of the tournament in France. The French-language logo for the tournament replaces the Guinness logo with the word "Greatness" in the same colour and typeface as the Guinness wordmark.{{cite news |last1=Tézenas du Montcel |first1=Magali |title=L'exception française au cœur du 'Guinness/Greatness Six Nations' |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/idees-debats/cercle/cercle-192349-opinion-lexception-francaise-au-coeur-du-guinnessgreatness-six-nations-2242248.php |access-date=11 March 2019 |work=Les Échos |date=5 February 2019 |language=fr |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628180942/https://www.lesechos.fr/idees-debats/cercle/opinion-lexception-francaise-au-coeur-du-guinnessgreatness-six-nations-962140 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=14 February 2019 |title=Guinness aims to become "world's number one rugby brand" with Six Nations title sponsorship |url=https://www.sportbusiness.com/2019/02/guinness-aims-to-become-worlds-number-one-rugby-brand-with-six-nations-title-sponsorship/ |access-date=29 May 2022 |website=SportBusiness |archive-date=29 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529041505/https://www.sportbusiness.com/2019/02/guinness-aims-to-become-worlds-number-one-rugby-brand-with-six-nations-title-sponsorship/ |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |date=26 January 2024 |title=World TV and stream broadcasters for Six Nations Championship 2024 |url=https://sport-tv-guide.live/tournament/rugby-union/europe/six-nations |access-date=10 January 2024|website=SportTvGuide |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126180943/https://sport-tv-guide.live/tournament/rugby-union/europe/six-nations |url-status=live }}

{{Portal|Sports}}

• The Rugby Championship, an analogous tournament of national teams in the Southern Hemisphere
• Rugby Europe International Championships, for second- and third-tier national teams in Europe
• Six Nations Under 20s Championship
• Women's Six Nations Championship
• British Home Championship, a similar tournament in association football

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last=Godwin |first=Terry |year=1984 |title=The International Rugby Championship 1883–1983 |location=London |publisher=Willows Books |isbn=978-0-00-218060-3}}
• {{Cite book |editor-last=Narz |editor-first=Naomi |year=2019 |title=Rugby: Wales and United States Connection, a Showing of LDR Feats in Sport Feats in Sport |publisher=Rich Books }}
• {{Cite book |editor-last=Starmer-Smith |editor-first=Nigel |year=1986 |editor-link=Nigel Starmer-Smith |title=Rugby – A Way of Life: An Illustrated History of Rugby |publisher=Lennard Books |isbn=978-0-7126-2662-0 }}

{{Commons category|Six Nations Championship}}

• {{official}}

{{Six Nations Championship}}

{{Home Nations friendlies}}

{{England national rugby union team}}

{{France national rugby union team}}

{{Ireland national rugby union team}}

{{Italy national rugby union team}}

{{Scotland national rugby union team}}

{{Wales national rugby union team}}

{{Rugby union in Italy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Six Nations}}

Category:1883 establishments in Europe

Category:Rugby union competitions in Europe for national teams

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1883

Category:International rugby union competitions hosted by England

Category:International rugby union competitions hosted by France

Category:International rugby union competitions hosted by Ireland

Category:International rugby union competitions hosted by Scotland

Category:International rugby union competitions hosted by Wales

Category:International rugby union competitions hosted by Italy

Category:England national rugby union team

Category:France national rugby union team

Category:Ireland national rugby union team

Category:Scotland national rugby union team

Category:Wales national rugby union team

Category:Italy national rugby union team