THE SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP. THE BEST RUGBY IN EUROPE.

Let´s talk about rugby. Although not the most popular of sports in Spain, it is one of the most important sports in many English-speaking countries, not only in Europe, but also in South Africa, New Zealand or Australia, countries where it is the "National Sport".

The locations of the Six Nations participants

This Saturday ( Feb 2nd), the Six Nations Rugby Championship starts in Cardiff, Wales,  with one of the best rugby matches one can see all over the world: Wales against Ireland. It is the first match  of a championship which started to be played as far in time as 1883 and which can be considered as the European Rugby Championship.

The Six Nations Championship and Triple Crown trophies

 

The tournament was initially played by the Four British nations: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, being subsequently enlarged to five teams (with the addition of France in 1910) and to six nations in 2000 (when Italy was accepted).


OVERALL RESULTS

 The last winners, Wales, received the Championship Trophy in 2012, after winning each of its five matches. Overall, England has the most victories (26). Wales could equal them this year since they have won it 25 times. France has 17 victories, Scotland 14 and Ireland 11. Italy has to win their first trophy yet.


THE TRIPLE CROWN TROPHY

This trophy can only be awarded to either England, Ireland, Wales or Scotland and only when one of these nations wins all the three matches against the other three, being England the nation with the greatest number of trophies (23).

THE WOODEN SPOON

Among the most famous traditions of the tournament, we can speak about The Wooden Spoon, which is awarded to the team who finishes at the bottom of the table. No physical spoon exists or has ever existed, however. Anyway, the six teams do their best to avoid winning a trophy of such a dubious prestige. Ireland has won it 36 times, a record no good Irish fan will be keen to recognise.

NATIONAL ANTHEMS

Rugby is a sport of traditions. One of them refers to anthems. Before the start of each game the national anthems of both teams are sung by their players and supporters. You can see here those of Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England.

If you are lucky enough to watch one of these matches in a local pub, you will be able to see everybody there sing along their players. I have been so fortunate on some occasions,  while drinking a pint of beer and I can tell you that  it´s something that no real sports fan should miss.