What is the Six Nations Championship?
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. It is held in February and March and is one of the oldest rivalries in sport.
The tournament began in 1883 as the Home Nations Championship, between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. France joined in 1910, making it the Five Nations, and Italy joined in 2000.
Each team plays the others once, with home matches alternating each year.
Trophies and traditions
A team that wins all five of its matches achieves a Grand Slam. A team that loses all its matches receives the wooden spoon.
The Triple Crown is awarded to a home nation that beats the other three home nations. The Calcutta Cup is contested between England and Scotland, dating back to 1879.
The championship attracts huge crowds and television audiences. Fans travel between cities such as London, Paris, Dublin, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Rome.
A separate Women's Six Nations and an under-20 tournament are also held. England's women's team has won the Women's Six Nations many times in recent years.