Six Nations news: Five of the biggest national rivalries explained
As the premier international rugby tournament in Europe, the Six Nations boasts a number of storied and intense rivalries amongst its participants.
However, the precise rationale for many such rivalries are often a mystery to the average supporter.
With the next edition of the tournament just around the corner, it is time to brush up our knowledge of a storied history ahead of the action.
Sports News Blitz writer Charlie Elliott looks at five of the biggest fixtures on the Six Nations calendar.
England vs Wales – Battle of the neighbours
Despite being one of the few rivalries on this list that does not have a trophy attached to it, one should not underestimate how big this match-up is for players and fans alike.
Ask any Welshman, in particular, and they will say that it is England they want to beat more than anyone.
The fixture was first played way back in 1881 and has since become rooted in national pride for both nations.
This year sees Wales as hosts, with the game set to take place in the final round of fixtures.
Already known for its electric atmosphere, the Millennium Stadium always ratchets up a notch when the neighbours come to town.
So if England need a result going into that last game, it is not going to be easy for them at all.
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England vs Scotland – Calcutta Cup
Quite possibly the biggest rivalry out of the lot, England and Scotland tend to have a tense respect for one another on the pitch and an underlying level of disdain off it.
Their first meeting, in 1871, was actually the first ever international rugby match.
The trophy is called the Calcutta Cup on account of it being made by the Calcutta Club – an elite gentleman’s club in India – from melted-down rupees.
On a political note, Scotland have seemingly been trying to get away from England and the United Kingdom for a number of years now, and that gives the game an extra edge.
Recent history suggests that the Scots could well get another famous win at Twickenham this season, having won the last four meetings between the two and held the cup since 2021.
Although Hadrian's Wall is the only geographical marker that separates the two nations, it does feel as if they are worlds apart in this rivalry of late.
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Ireland vs Wales – A Celtic clash
These two nations have a lot of shared history, namely the Celtic influence that is still so visible in both cultures today.
While that lends itself to slightly less intensity than some other rivalries, it does mean a certain degree of bragging rights are at stake.
It must also be said that Warren Gatland has taken this fixture to another level since his unceremonious dismissal from the Ireland team in 2001, with there regular stirring of the pot every time his Wales team face Ireland.
Ireland are quite rightly seen as the far superior side on the field at the moment but, with the fixture taking place in Cardiff this year, there is every chance that Gatland’s men could cause an upset and dent the Irish title hopes.
Ireland vs Scotland – Centenary Quaich
Ireland and Scotland first clashed on a rugby field in 1889, with the current trophy – named after a type of Gaelic drinking vessel – created for the 100th anniversary of the rivalry.
In a similar fashion to the Ireland-Wales fixture, it is based on Celtic traditions shared between the two countries, not to mention shared drinking habits.
On the pitch, it will be hosted at Murrayfield this year and represents a genuine opportunity for Scotland to stamp their mark on a tournament that they will have hopes of winning.
This is definitely the game to watch in the second round of fixtures.
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France vs Italy – Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy
While easily the most one-sided rivalry on this list, with France having won 45 of 49 meetings, it is still the only fixture in the tournament between two teams from the continent.
As a result, there is always an extra layer of needle when these two come up against each other, even if it is not the fiercest of rivalries.
The trophy itself is named after a military general who helped to unify Italy and fought for France in a war with Prussia.
In 15 years, there have been a few close calls for France – Italy memorably winning two consecutive home games in 2011 and 2013 – so it may not all be plain sailing at the Stadio Olimpico next month.
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