The RBS 2008 Six Nations Rugby Championship is only just around the corner, and after last year’s explosive and unpredictable round of games, and the performance of the home teams in the 2007 World Cup, this year’s tournament is set to be one of the most open and eagerly anticipated since it began.
The 2007 Six Nations tournament was a memorable one for some fantastic rugby and some unexpected score lines. France won the competition, but only after Ireland threw away their match in Italy in the final minute. No Grand Slam was achieved though, but Ireland took the Triple Crown, and Italy managed their first away win ever by defeating Scotland at Murrayfield.
In the the tournament’s overall history, England has the most Home Nation wins, Five Nation wins, and Six Nation tournament victories with a total of 25 under their belt. A close second is Wales with 23, and the only country to never have won anything being Italy.
Here we look at each of the competing team’s chances, and look forward to what promises to be a truly magnificent spectacle for all those going to watch the games, or the many thousands who will the action from their living room or pubs around the country.
England
Following on from their 2003 Six Nations Grand Slam, England won the World Cup later that same year by beating Australia 20 points to 17 in extra time. Since then they have been a shadow of that triumphant team, until they made it to the World Cup final again in 2007, only to be beaten at the last hurdle by a rampant South African side, 15 points to 6.
England has won the Six Nations championship on 25 separate occasions, with 12 of those as Grand Slam winners. They are currently ranked the fourth best international rugby union team in the world.
The history of the English team goes back to 1871 when they played their first official test match, losing to Scotland. England then went on to dominate the Home Nations Championship (now the Six Nations) which was established in 1883, and still do to this day.
At their home ground, Twickenham, they are tough opponents for anyone. They only have two games at home in the 2008 tournament, against Wales and Ireland, on the first and last weekends of the championship run, so they will have to keep up their World Cup form if they are to bag another coveted Six Nations title.
France
Having won the Six Nations outright 14 times, shared it 8 times, and bagged 8 Grand Slams, France are always formidable opponents. Currently fifth in the world after losing to Argentina in the opening match of the 2007 World Cup, they never managed to improve on their position despite reaching the third place play-off, where they were comprehensively beaten by Argentina.
France first contested the Six Nations in 1910 when the Home Nations tournament became the Five Nations, but they didn’t win it until 1954, sharing the championship with both England and Wales that same year. Since then they have proved themselves capable of beating any team in the world, so the rest had better watch out. Come February, France will want to make a big point by defending their 2007 Six Nations triumph as strongly as they can.
France have to travel to Scotland and Wales in 2008, two trips they have traditionally found hard, yet have manage to overcome frequently with speed and flair. They won’t be wanting to leave it to the last minute or to lady luck like they did in 2007 though, so will be out to make sure that every match that play at the Parc de Princes bags them full points in their quest.
Italy
Also known as the The Azzurri or The Gladiators of Rome, Italy has only been playing international rugby since the 1920s, but have progressed steadily to be considered one of the most dangerous opponents in European rugby.
Italy first came to prominence in 2000 when they were permitted to join the Five Nations – turning it into the Six Nations Championship. They were quick to make their mark as they defeated Scotland in their first ever match of the competition, and then three years later, managed to finish fifth above Wales. In 2004 they again finished fifth above Scotland, and in 2007 fought hard and fast to bag their first away win since joining the Six Nations, once again against Scotland, though this time at Murrayfield stadium.
When Italy defeated Wales in Rome two weeks later, it was the first time they had won two games in the championship, let alone gain back to back results, and as reward for their efforts they finished in their highest ever ranking of fourth place.
As a result of their growing ability and popularity in Italy, the Stadio Flaminio is no longer big enough to hold their international matches and it is likely that their games in 2008 against England and Scotland will be moved to a larger football stadium such as the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. It is hoped by the Italian rugby body they will be able continue their impressive growth as a rugby nation in front of thousands more home fans than ever before.
Ireland
Ireland have won the Six Nations 10 times outright, and shared the championship a further 8 times. Historically though, they have been the least successful of the home teams, having won the Wooden Spoon more times than anyone else.
However, Irish rugby when on form, is widely acknowledged to be extremely strong and competitive, and it is their sheer desire and belief that has won them a great many games over the years they otherwise might have lost.
Much of this has been down to one player in recent times: Brian O’Driscoll, the current captain, and Ireland’s all-time leading try scorer. He is one of the finest rugby players in the world and lifts any team he plays in from mediocre to world class.
After their 2006 Autumn international against Australia, Ireland climbed to third best team in the world, their loftiest since the ratings began. After their defeat to France in the 2007 Six Nations, they dropped back down to fifth but bounced back again in their follow up match against England, with a record 43-13 victory in a highly charged and emotional encounter at Croke Park in Dublin.
Ireland won the 2007 Triple Crown trophy when they narrowly defeated Scotland at Murrayfield, and only lost out on the championship title on goal difference when France were awarded a late try against Scotland, meaning they took the title instead. So come 2008, you can bet that any team who has to play them at Croke Park, are in for a battle.
Scotland
Scotland last won the championship in 1999 when it was still known as the Five Nations, the last team to win it under the old format. Since then their displays have proved generally disappointing and lack lustre.
In September 2005, Frank Hadden was appointed their national coach and has turned the fortunes of the Scottish team around, doing so with limited resources and growing public support.
Their resurgence began in the first match of the 2006 Six Nations campaign when they unexpectedly beat France 20 points to 6, the first time they had taken French scalps since 1999. They also went on to beat their Auld Enemy, England, 18 points to 12 at Murrayfield, thereby reclaimed the Calcutta Cup.
In 2007 they came back down to earth when they suffered a humiliating defeat at home to Italy, the first team in the tournament to lose to The Azzuri on home soil. The game was over after only 6 minutes, when Scotland found themselves trailing by 21 points to put the match already out of reach.
Scotland are currently ranked eighth in the world after reaching the quarter finals of the World Cup in 2007, where they were beaten by France’s eventual cullers, Argentina.
With four matches away from home in 2008, Scotland know they are going to have to perform well if they are to continue on their upward tangent, but under Frank Hadden, an entire nation believes they might just do something.
Wales
The Wales national rugby union team have won the Six Nations a total of 23 times, second only to England, the last of these triumphs coming in 2005. They have shared 10 other victories, and first won a Five Nations grand slam way back in 1911.
Historically, Wales have boasted some of the best rugby players in the game’s history, particularly from the teams that played in the 1970s. Although some very poor results in the late 1980s and 1990s damaged their reputation, a resurgence of form in 2000 and then a Grand Slam in 2005 (won while playing more games away from home – the first team to do so), helped to reverse that trend.
Wales were knocked out of the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France by lowly Fiji, despite having played two of their games at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Prior to the tournament Wales were considered to have a good chance of reaching the latter stages due to the low-end teams they had to face. The result saw the sacking of their head coach, Gareth Jenkins, immediately after the final whistle.
It will be a new coach and a new ethos in 2008, and with Wales having much the same players they had in 2005, they could prove to be as dangerous a team as they have been in the past. It would be foolish to bet against them this time round.
Six Nations Winners, 2000 – present
2000 – England
2001 – England
2002 – France (Grand Slam)
2003 – England (Grand Slam)
2004 – France (Grand Slam)
2005 – Wales (Grand Slam)
2006 – France
2007 – France
Six Nations Championship Statistics
Six Nations Fixtures 2008
Saturday, February 2
Ireland v Italy (2pm)
England v Wales (4.30pm)
Sunday, February 3
Scotland v France (3pm)
Saturday, February 9
Wales v Scotland (2pm)
France v Ireland (4pm)
Sunday, February 10
Italy v England (2.30pm)
Saturday, February 23
Wales v Italy (3pm)
Ireland v Scotland (5pm)
France v England (8pm)
Saturday, March 8
Ireland v Wales (1.15pm)
Scotland v England (3.15pm)
Sunday, March 9
France v Italy (3pm)
Saturday, March 15
Italy v Scotland (1pm)
England v Ireland (3pm)
Wales v France (5pm)
