Rugby is one of the oldest sports around and England and Scotland played their first rugby union international as early as 1871. By 1883, Wales and Ireland had also joined the tournament, playing every year to find out who was the best team. In 1910, France officially joined the competition and coined the phrase "Five Nations".
By the 1970s, the Five Nations had become the most popular Northern Hemisphere rugby tournament and matches became more official with the introduction of tickets and TV transmissions. In the year 2000, Italy joined the tournament, turning it into the Six Nations.
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 most other rugby union competitions the bonus point system is not used.
The Six Nations Rugby Championship is still one of the most viewed rugby events as it involves nations which historically have often been at odds and maintains that constant competitiveness. This results in dramatic games and sometimes astonishing results.