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The Six Nations Tournaments

England and Scotland played the first international rugby match in 1871. After 12 years of occasional friendly matches between the teams, the inaugural tournament called « Home International Championship », between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales started in 1883. England won the first series and won the Triple Crown. England and Scotland were the only champions until 1893, when Wales won its first title. Ireland, meanwhile, won the following season. Although won by the Welsh during the "Home Nations", tournaments in 1908 and 1909 could be considered as Grand Slam, since they have also beaten France these two seasons.

The French, who previously played four tournaments, officially joined the competition in 1910 and from the name "Five Nations" was born. The English national rugby union team won the first tournament of the new era, and the Welsh won the first Grand Slam the following year. The competition was suspended during World War I (1914-1918). In 1931, France was excluded from the tournament, which becomes the "Home Nations" from 1932 until 1939. The competition was suspended again during the Second World War (1939-1945). With France back in the competition, the Tournament of the Five Nations resumed in 1947 with a victory shared by England and Wales. France won its first shared title in 1954, and won for the first time the tournament in 1959.

In the 70s, the Five Nations Tournament has become the most prestigious rugby competition of the northern hemisphere, with games that see the emergence of paid tickets, reaching heights of popularity and recorded large television audience. The 1972 tournament remains unfinished because of the refusal of theScotland rugby team and Wales to go play in Dublin. The following season is unique in the history with perfect draw; the five teams won and lost 2 games. The 70s represent the golden age of Welsh rugby - three Grand Slam titles and a Triple Crown during the decade. Until 1993, there is no special price to reward the victory of the Five Nations Tournament. The Trophy is awarded for the first time in 1993 to France.

TheFrench rugby team is the first to win the new trophy, followed by Wales, then England. Scotland won its first trophy in 1998-99. Ireland has not yet won. Scotland is the last nation to win the Five Nations Trophy as such, given that Italy joined the competition in 2000, now called the Six Nations tournament. " England is the first nation to win the trophy under the new format, winning the competition in 2000.

The Tournament takes place each year, the tournament format is simple: each team faces every other team once, with home advantage in alternate years. Two points are awarded for a win, one point for a draw and zero point for a defeat. In contrast to most other rugby competitions, there is no system of bonus points.

If a team won all its matches, it does the "Grand Slam". Great consecutive Slams have been made only five occasions: in Wales in 1908/1909, England in 1913/1914, 1923/1924 and 1991/1992 and France in 1997/1998. England holds the record number of Grand Slam victories, 12, followed by Wales 9, France 8, Scotland 3 and Ireland 1.

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