Publication date: 12 Dec 2023
About the Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship (6NC, Rugby Union, Guinness Six Nations) is an annual international rugby union competition. Moreover, one of the most prestigious rugby tournaments. It brings together six European teams from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. As a result, this tournament not only brings together historic rivalries, but also showcases rugby at the very highest level.
Rugby Union 2025
The 2025 season promises to be an exciting one that will capture the attention of fans around the world. The 6NC will provide a platform for the best rugby players to compete for supremacy. Competitors will showcase their skills, tactics and passion for the game.
Championship Dates and Venue
The Guinness Six Nations 2025 kicks off on 31 January and concludes on 15 March. Matches will be played at iconic venues including Twickenham (London), Stade de France (Paris) and Aviva (Dublin). In addition, sports fans will be able to follow the games of their favourite national teams on the Internet.
Key favourites and participants
Over the decades, teams such as England, Ireland and France have shown stability and dominance. For the 2025 season, the following national teams are the big favourites:
- Ireland are the reigning champions with a strong squad.
- France are the team to beat.
- England are a traditionally strong team with a powerful attack.
History of the championship
The first major rugby competition took place in 1883. The competition was held between the 4 national teams of the United Kingdom – England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. For two years the English team were excluded from the championship. This was due to their refusal to join the International Rugby Union. As a result, they did not take part in the competition in 1888 and 1889.
Since 1910, the championship has been played between 5 national teams – the French team joined.
In 2000, the Italian team joined the competition and it became known as the Six Nations Tournament.
Traditionally, the Rugby Cup starts on the 1st weekend in February and ends on the 2nd or 3rd Saturday in March. Teams play each other once. A total of 15 matches are played. The team that finishes last, or loses all its matches, is awarded a figurative honour – a wooden spoon. Throughout the history of the tournament, the Italian team has won enough points to be awarded this honour 15 times.
Characteristics and uniqueness of the competition
The Cup’s uniqueness lies in its historical significance, the high standard of play and the special atmosphere. In terms of the trophy, it is the pride and heritage of European rugby.
6NC history’s biggest bet
One of the biggest bets was placed in 2019. A punter backed Wales to win at odds of 3.5. He won a substantial sum after their triumph. This incident highlights the interest in the tournament among sports betting enthusiasts.
Championship results over the last 3 years
| Year | Venue | Winning team |
| 2024 | England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales | Ireland |
| 2023 | England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy | Ireland |
| 2022 | Ireland, England, England, Wales, Italy, Scotland, France | France |
2026 Guinness Six Nations
The 6NC remains the beating heart of European rugby. In fact, it brings together the best teams and the best fans from all over the world. Both its history and the modern level of play make it a tournament to watch. It maintains its status as one of the most anticipated events in the world of sport. The 2026 competition is expected to be full of outstanding performances from Europe’s best players.
The fixture list for the next championship will be announced at a later date.
Keep an eye on the dates of rugby tournaments and other events in our Sporting Events Calendar.
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