The Six Nations Championship (referred to as "RBS 6 Nations" for sponsorship reasons), is an annual international rugby union competition held between six European sides.
The competing nations are: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
The winners of the Six Nations are often seen as being the unofficial European Champions. France are the current defending champions having won the competition in 2007(albeit on points difference).
The Five Nations Championship, i.e. before Italy joined in 2000, was the premier international rugby union tournament in the Northern hemisphere. The importance of the competition has decreased slightly since the introduction of the Rugby World Cup, but the long standing rivalries between teams mean that it remains a passionate and fiercely contested prize. Readers of TT have in the past always followed the tournament and posted frequently about it
The 2008 competition opens Saturday 2nd February and continues through to the final, held on Saturday 15th March.
The importance of the competition has decreased slightly since the introduction of the Rugby World Cup
That's true. And since the four-yearly Rugby World Cup tournament started in 1987, only one northern hemisphere country (England) has won the William Webb Ellis trophy in five attempts.
I would like to see the winner of the Six Nations play the winner of the Tri Nations each year. But again it maybe too one-sided in favor of the southern hemisphere.
Joliet Jake
Jan 24 2007, 10:39 pm
I was schooled in the Six Nations experience for the first time last year. We'll see how much I remember this time around. I'm still selective about when I invest time in watching rugby, so I'm looking forward to getting back into it for a few weeks.
Jeeves
Jan 25 2007, 9:49 am
QUOTE (DoubleVision @ Jan 24 2007, 8:20 pm)
I would like to see the winner of the Six Nations play the winner of the Tri Nations each year.
That generally happens during the autumn internationals anyway. In November they even played each other twice. And the southern hemisphere won both.
Owain Glyndwr
Mar 29 2007, 2:48 pm
the dates for the 2008 6 Nations have been announced:
2008 Six Nations fixtures:
Saturday, Feb 2 - Ireland v Italy (2pm), England v Wales (4.30pm); Sunday, Feb 3 - Scotland v France (3pm). Saturday, Feb 9 - Wales v Scotland (2pm), France v Ireland (4pm); Sunday, Feb 10 - Italy v England (2.30pm). Saturday, Feb 23 - Wales v Italy (3pm), Ireland v Scotland (5pm), France v England (8pm). Saturday, March 8 - Ireland v Wales (1.15pm), Scotland v England (3.15pm); Sunday, March 9 - France v Italy (3pm). Saturday, March 15 - Italy v Scotland (1pm), England v Ireland (3pm), Wales v France (5pm).
I think Scotland are going to win. I can just feel it.
koubiak
Jan 25 2008, 5:12 pm
I am really looking forward to the 6 nations.
France will have a new group. So I think it will be really open.
Allez les bleus!
Jeeves
Jan 25 2008, 8:11 pm
I agree that it will be open. I wouldn't write anybody off winning it this time round. Except perhaps Italy.
triumph bob
Jan 25 2008, 8:15 pm
Don't suppose there's any chance of it being on DSF or Eurosport?
Edit: DSF are showing 11 of the 15 games either live or highlights, inc. Sweaties vs English, Frogs vs English and Frenchies vs Scots live.
sharpe
Jan 25 2008, 8:30 pm
A long world cup is recently ended and now 6 nations? when do players play in their local leagues?
worm
Jan 26 2008, 4:36 pm
can't wait for the england-france and england-ireland games!!!
Owain Glyndwr
Jan 26 2008, 4:49 pm
is that cos those are the only ones they have a chance of winning?
worm
Jan 26 2008, 7:11 pm
haha er kind of the opposite actually...in that I think they will be closely contested - obviously you are confident of wales' abilities OG? Actually now I think of it, wales did put on quite a good show in the end at the world cup, scotland too so I suppose if every team played the way they did in those matches it could be a very exciting tournament!
nick60599
Jan 27 2008, 4:12 pm
Really looking forward to this year's competition. Could well go down to the final day. My dad has got tickets to both England-Wales and England-Ireland
bondjamesbond
Jan 29 2008, 11:45 am
I watched the world cup. Those Aussies look ed rather burly yet they are said to be made of jelly, because their pack couldnt handle the scrums. Is it possible to have rather bulging muscles yet no strenght? I think i heard once that somew exercises make your muscles show up but give no real strenght
worm
Jan 29 2008, 12:24 pm
er...well I think the aussies are still pretty damn strong in the scheme of things. Its not like they are feeble or something. Just that sheridan happened to be even stronger still, due to the fact that he is an animal.
Gatland has picked 13 Ospreys players in his squad Wales coach Warren Gatland plans to expose Iain Balshaw as England's weak link when the two teams meet in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday. Full-back Balshaw was the surprise pick ahead of Mathew Tait, who played centre in the World Cup final but was expected to replace Jason Robinson at 15.
"We have looked at their back three," said Gatland.
"Balshaw played on the wing for Gloucester last week, and I wasn't impressed with him at all."
Gatland also believes new England recruit Lesley Vainikolo and winger Paul Sackey are a vulnerable part of the England team and can be targeted by his side.
Andrew Sheridan is one we're going to really have to watch
Warren Gatland
"I have been impressed by David Strettle - but neither Lesley Vainikolo nor Paul Sackey, who will start on the wing, has the greatest kicking game," said Gatland.
"That is one area we are going to see what they like, by putting the ball in beyond them to see how they respond."
Gatland is wary about the impact of prop Andrew Sheridan but will be making the referee aware of the fouls he believes Lewis Moody concedes.
"Up front, England are going to be a tough unit," he said. "Sheridan is one we're going to really have to watch, his ball carrying and scrummaging is some of the best in the world.
"As a unit there's not too many weaknesses, they've got so much strength in depth and self belief but we've got to go there and match that."
He added: "One of the things about Moody is that you can guarantee two or three penalties against someone like him because traditionally he's that sort of player that you question his discipline and the number of penalties he gives away in matches.
"I'd like to highlight that with the referee, it's important at the tackle area that you can recycle and keep it legal."
Gatland trying to play some games with the English. Silly man.
leky
Jan 30 2008, 11:44 am
The England line up for Saturdays game:
15) Iain Balshaw-Gloucester Rugby [/size]14) Paul Sackey-London Wasps 13) Mike Tindall-Gloucester Rugby 12) Toby Flood-Newcastle Falcons 11) David Strettle-Harlequins 10) Jonny Wilkinson-Newcastle Falcons 9) Andy Gomarsall-Harlequins 1) Andrew Sheridan-Sale Sharks 2) Mark Regan -Bristol Rugby 3) Phil Vickery-London Wasps (Capt) 4) Simon Shaw-London Wasps 5) Steve Borthwick-Bath Rugby 6) James Haskell -London Wasps 7) Lewis Moody- Leicester Tigers 8) Luke Narraway -Gloucester Rugby REPLACEMENTS16) Lee Mears Bath Rugby17) Matt Stevens Bath Rugby18) Ben Kay Leicester Tigers19) Tom Rees London Wasps20) Richard Wigglesworth Sale Sharks21) Daniel Cipriani London Wasps[size="2"]22) Lesley Vainikolo Gloucester Rugby
leky
Jan 30 2008, 11:58 am
And Wales:
Lee Byrne (Ospreys);
Shane Williams (Ospreys),
Sonny Parker (Ospreys),
Gavin Henson (Ospreys),
Mark Jones (Scarlets);
James Hook (Ospreys),
Mike Phillips (Ospreys);
Duncan Jones (Ospreys),
Huw Bennett (Ospreys),
Adam Jones (Ospreys), Ian Gough (Ospreys),
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys),
Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys),
Martyn Williams (Blues),
Ryan Jones (capt, Ospreys).
Replacements: Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Alix Popham (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Tom Shanklin (Blues).
leky
Jan 30 2008, 12:01 pm
Ireland: G Dempsey; A Trimble, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, G Murphy; R O'Gara, E Reddan; M Horan, R Best, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, M O'Kelly, S Easterby, D Wallace, D Leamy. Replacements: B Jackman, T Buckley, M O'Driscoll, J Heaslip, P Stringer, P Wallace, R Kearney.
leky
Jan 30 2008, 12:04 pm
Scotland: R Lamont (Sale Sharks); N Walker (Ospreys), N De Luca (Edinburgh), A Henderson (Glasgow Warriors), S Webster (Edinburgh); D Parks (Glasgow Warriors), M Blair (Edinburgh); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), E Murray (Northampton Saints), N Hines (Perpignan), J Hamilton (Leicester Tigers), J White (Sale Sharks, captain), J Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), D Callam (Edinburgh).
Replacements: F Thomson (Glasgow Warriors), G Kerr (Edinburgh), S MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets), K Brown (Glasgow Warriors), C Cusiter (Perpignan), C Paterson (Gloucester), H Southwell (Edinburgh).
parnell
Jan 30 2008, 12:07 pm
QUOTE (leky @ Jan 30 2008, 12:01 pm)
Ireland: G Dempsey; A Trimble, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, G Murphy; R O'Gara, E Reddan; M Horan, R Best, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, M O'Kelly, S Easterby, D Wallace, D Leamy. Replacements: B Jackman, T Buckley, M O'Driscoll, J Heaslip, P Stringer, P Wallace, R Kearney.
Starting team is rubbish , Jackman , Buckley , O'Driscoll and HEaslip should all be there with Best , Hayes , the ruck inspector (O'Kelly) and Easeterby warming the bench - well actually Quinlan should be doing that for Easterby.
worm
Jan 30 2008, 2:12 pm
QUOTE (leky @ Jan 30 2008, 12:44 pm)
The England line up for Saturdays game:
[[/size][/size]13) Mike Tindall-Gloucester Rugby
REPLACEMENTS21) Daniel Cipriani London Wasps[size="2"]22) Lesley Vainikolo Gloucester Rugby
looking forward to seeing tindall play again
and would also like to see cipriani and vainikolo have a run around!
how the fuck could we throw away the lead like a bunch a spazmos?
yet again england disappoint.
Owain Glyndwr
Feb 2 2008, 8:25 pm
heheheheheheheheheh
Keydeck
Feb 2 2008, 8:49 pm
First half was all England and it was as if they were told in the dressing room at half-time, right lads you've got it in the bag, sorted. And Wales were asked in the dressing room, where's your fucking pride and passion? The second half played that out exactly.
bluedave
Feb 2 2008, 8:51 pm
My predictions look a little bit sad now,
Owain Glyndwr
Feb 2 2008, 9:06 pm
ok, I'm really one to gloat but I rarely get a chance what with Wales never winning...but I really can't resist this:
It'll be the last time in a good few years that the table will look like this.
sorry
p.s. you'll have to forgive me. it's 4am in the morning here and I'm tanked up on free booze.
Through gritted teeth I say congrats to the Welsh for the win. Just hope you haven't peaked to soon for the world cup again...
parnell
Feb 4 2008, 11:44 am
QUOTE (Owain Glyndwr @ Feb 2 2008, 9:06 pm)
It'll be the last time in a good few years that the table will look like this.
Wrong , best coaching set-up by a very very long margin. Get used to it. Even with limited players.
Ashton wishes to play high risk entertaining rugby , I salute him in this. He is no believer in the English/Munster/Leicester way of playing 10 man rugby.
IReland were and are SHIIITE - the best players arguably in the 6N with the worst coaching set-up. Please God France will be the end of it.
Schotte
Feb 4 2008, 3:16 pm
nice to see england just as shite as scotland. ho ho ho! possibly the worst england team ever. hang those roses in shame!
highlight of the weekend: frank hadden "well first and foremost we are sad to disappoint all the fans"
shame that daft eejit hadnt thought of that when he played a 2nd 15 against NZ last year when those fans paid £80 a ticket.
scots will roll over the taffs. i predict mayhem in cardiff as the usual local scummers start getting wound up at kilted chaps stealing their valley girls. hurray!
parnell
Feb 5 2008, 2:13 pm
Irish team announced against France - and it's a big step up to that against the Italians...
Would have Buckley on from the start , MOD in for MOK and Bowe on for Dempsey with Murphy at full back but there is a lot of class in that team , Leamy at 6 is quite something.
Scogs
Feb 5 2008, 2:20 pm
I don't see many surprises in the Irish team, and they will have to change up more than one gear from the showing against Italy, Though Italy are not top class they are no longer the whipping boys of the 6 nations, but Ireland at home should have put them away easily. I quite fancy doing a drive down to Italy to watch one of their home games if anyone wants to share the petrol costs.
worm
Feb 5 2008, 2:29 pm
are you irish supporters missing o'connell? I have a distinct dislike for that guy. don't know why. might be his hair
leky
Feb 5 2008, 2:31 pm
Well Scogs you only have 2 options, this weekend (which I would love to go to, but can't) and then Scotland on the 15th Mar.
leky
Feb 5 2008, 2:32 pm
QUOTE (worm @ Feb 5 2008, 2:29 pm)
are you irish supporters missing o'connell? I have a distinct dislike for that guy. don't know why. might be his hair
Talking of hair, what the hell has Gavin Henson done to his, he looks a right pratt!
worm
Feb 5 2008, 2:36 pm
you speak as if there was a point in the past when he didn't look like a right prat?
leky
Feb 5 2008, 2:41 pm
Hmm, you're right, ok he looks even more of a pratt than he did before
Here is the site for Italy Rugby Italiano but it says that you can only get tickets if you have an Italian address, had a look at the SRU site too but they don't seem to sell them either!
leky
Feb 8 2008, 3:52 pm
Well if anyone is interested and wants to make a mad dash to Paris tomorrow, tickets are availavble for France v Ireland & also France v Italy on the 9th March.
unlucky ireland - you put up a real good fight in the second half and it was a shame you didnt win it ( should of held onto it at the end though and not kicked it!)
so, after todays game looks like france might have the right team for a clean sweep? certainly looking forward to the england-france game even more now!!!
bluedave
Feb 9 2008, 7:07 pm
Fabulous comeback by Ireland.
Just a pity that O'Gara didn't get that final conversion, cos then it would have given Ireland the option of kicking the last minute penalty for a draw, instead of having to kick for the corner.
topcat 1
Feb 9 2008, 7:20 pm
Dare I say it, but Wales could still do the clean sweep.
gideon
Feb 9 2008, 7:29 pm
wales wont beat france. they've had a good run of luck but their quality isn't better than the french, let alone ireland.
pootle
Feb 9 2008, 7:31 pm
To be honest I aint getting into any discussions this year as to how far while can or cannot go. This year with Gatland and co, its a year of rebuilding.. any wins are bonuses.
