- published: 20 Mar 2016
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The Six Nations Championship (referred to as RBS 6 Nations as it's sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland) is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
The Six Nations is the successor to the Five Nations Championship (1910–1931 and 1947–1999) and the Home Nations Championship (1883–1909 and 1932–1939), which was the first international rugby union tournament. The winners of the Six Nations Championship are also known as the European Champions.
Wales are the current title holders, winning a Grand Slam in 2012.
Played annually, the format of the Championship is simple: each team plays every other team once, with home field advantage alternating from one year to the next. Two points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss. Unlike many other rugby union competitions the bonus point system is not used.
If a team wins all its games, they are said to have won a 'Grand Slam'. Back to back Grand Slams have been achieved on five occasions, by Wales in 1908 and 1909, by England in 1913 and 1914, 1923 and 1924 and 1991 and 1992, and by France in 1997 and 1998. England holds the record for the number of Grand Slams won with 12, followed by Wales with 11, France with 9, Scotland with 3 and Ireland with 2.
Six Nations may refer to: