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About the Six Nations 2024
Righto, Rugby Union fans, 2024 is starting with a bang as the Six Nations Championship kicks off in February. The opening match sees reigning champs Ireland, who notched up an impressive Grand Slam win in 2023, take on France at Marseilles’ Stade Vélodrome on February 3, with play continuing until the series concludes with France vs England at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Décines-Charpieu, totalling 15 matches across five rounds.
When is Six Nations 2024?
The 15 games begin on February 3 (with France v Ireland) and ends on March 17 (with France v England).
What teams are competing in the Six Nations 2024?
As ever, it’s England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
Who are the favourites to win the Six Nations 2024?
France are the odds-on faves this year, with manager Fabien Galthié determined to take back the Championship Trophy after 2023’s crushing defeat. Ireland are second favourite, though, so don’t count them out. Despite a brave showing in last year’s tournament, Italy are favoured to come last yet again – fitting since they hold the record for most Wooden Spoons in the tournament (18, with 13 of those with no wins whatsoever).
Six Nations History
Technically, 2024 marks the 25th Six Nations Championship, but it’s the 130th overall. The competition was inaugurated in 1883 as the Home Nations Championship, with England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland competing. In 1910 the tournament became the Five Nations Championship with the addition of France to the competition roster, and things continued thusly (albeit with a brief interregnum due to World War II) until 2000, when Italy signed on and the Six Nations Championship in its current form was born.
Recent Six Nations winners
2023 – Ireland 2022 – France 2021 – Wales 2020 – England 2019 – Wales Literally never – Italy
Six Nations Records
Ah, we should stop being mean to Italy – they feature heavily in the annals of the competition, after all. For example:
Most points by one team in a single match – England vs Italy - 2001 (80 points)
Biggest winning margin in a single match –
England vs Italy - 2001 (57 points 80-23)
Biggest away winning margin in a single match –
Ireland vs Italy - 2017 (53 points 63-10)
Fewest points scored in a Six Nations Season –
Italy - 2004 (42 points)
Weakest points difference in a Season –
Italy - 2021 (184 points)
Honestly, Charlie Brown’s baseball team has a stronger record.
