RBS Six Nations

The world’s oldest and largest annual premier rugby tournament began last weekend with victories from Ireland, Wales and a last-minute win from France over England . The competition began in 1871 when the first rugby union international was played between England and Scotland with the latter coming out on top. Over a century later, it has grown in popularity, tradition and competition, with six nations – England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France and Italy – now challenging each other for the trophy, commissioned by the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2006.

Following 1871, annual and occasional friendly matches were played between England and Scotland until 1883, when the inaugural Home International Championship, comprising England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales was played. France officially joined in 1910 and the Championship became the Five Nations, remaining like this through its suspension during World War I and II (excluding France’s ejection 1931-1939), and it was not until 2000 that the tournament welcomed Italy, becoming the Six Nations as we know it today.  Over its course of play, the Championship has acquired a simple format which encourages millions of people to tune in annually worldwide. Each team plays every other team once, with home field advantage alternating from one year to the next. The winning team is awarded 2 points, a draw results in 1 and a loss gains nothing. Victory in every game awards that team the ‘Grand Slam’ while victory by any Home Nation over the other three Home Nations constitutes a ‘Triple Crown’. The current Championship holders are Wales, who denied England both this and their Grand Slam chances on the final weekend of 2013.

This year, England are looking to claim back the title they last held in 2011 and with the rising support, this is certainly possible. In 2013, over one million people attended the 15 matches, making it the best attended international rugby tournament in the world on a per match basis. The Championship which is completed over seven weekends in February and March is aired in over 160 countries, and it attracts an ever growing media focus. England hooker, Dylan Hartley has insisted that winning this year’s competition is crucial to the national team’s development, believing that the England squad have the ability to go all the way and that lifting the Six Nations would be the ideal way to start the countdown to the World Cup. “Win the World Cup?” he says, “Certainly we can”.

For some, the 6 Nations dream is over already. Rhys Patchell, the Welsh 20 year old fly-half sustained a knee injury while playing for his club side which a scan confirmed will require surgery. Out for a possible four months, it is unlikely that Patchell will play any part in Wales’ attempt to retain the Championship title. Ireland’s back rower Sean O’Brien is also in danger of missing the entire 6 Nations as he requires surgery on the dislocated left shoulder he suffered in a match against Ulster in December last year. The physicality of rugby means the level of injury sustained is high; physio treatment alone can be very expensive. Protect yourself against the physical and financial risks with a comprehensive insurance policy, like the one we’ve designed especially for rugby. Find out more here: https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/insurance/rugby.html/

Stay tuned this weekend to watch Ireland vs Wales and England vs Scotland on Saturday, and France vs Italy on Sunday!