THE Six Nations Championship is the oldest international rugby tournament in the world, dating back to its original incarnation in 1883, which began as the Home Nations Championship comprising England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The United Kingdom and Ireland nations have played a majestic 128 championships over the years, though the Scots refused to play the Auld Enemy in 1885 over a disputed try the previous year, and England was excluded in 1888 and 1889 for refusing to join the International Rugby Football Union, following a petulant spat between the Home Nations over representation. Les Bleus joined the foray in 1910 to expand the tournament to the Five Nations, and thus it remained until 2000, when the Azzurri came on board to bring the world the Six Nations Championship.
"Unrelenting commitment to deliver truly unmissable experiences for fans"
The Guinness Six Nations is the greatest annual international rugby Championship in the sport, and every year delivers truly unmissable experiences to fans all over the world. In 2022, the Championship title came down to the wire, culminating in a game for the ages, in Paris, where France claimed an historic Grand Slam.
This year, fans can look forward to another scintillating Championship, with storylines and plot twists waiting to be written by the teams and players, over five rounds of action, starting on February 4th, at the Principality in Cardiff before all roads lead to another blockbuster Super Saturday, with the final game between Ireland and England on Saint Patrick's Day Weekend.
Ahead of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations Championship, Ben Morel, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, commented:
"The Guinness Six Nations holds an incredibly special place in the sporting landscape and with fans all over the world. The Championship offers fans the chance to experience some of the best teams and players going head-to-head, on an annual basis, in must win Test matches. Combine that with the unique heritage of the Six Nations and the rivalries that are woven into the fabric of the six nations competing, and you start to scratch the surface in explaining why the Guinness Six Nations is such an eagerly anticipated and loved moment in time, each year.
"We have a huge responsibility at Six Nations Rugby to not only respect the precious nature and heritage of its Championships but ensure their continued growth and development. There is also the unrelenting commitment to deliver truly unmissable experiences for fans. This is what drives the entire team
"This commitment is underpinned by unwavering collaboration with all Six Nations Rugby stakeholders, including each union and federation, its broadcast and commercial partners and the media, who all play a part in telling the compelling storylines to fans.
This year's Guinness Six Nations holds a personal poignancy for me, as it will be my final one as CEO of Six Nations Rugby. My five years in the role has been a humbling and defining experience and I am filled with pride for the achievements of the organisation, alongside each of the unions and federations. It has been a privilege to be a custodian of the role, but my work is not done yet, and go into the 2023 Championships truly excited for what is in store for fans."
![LV= Cup [Anglo-Welsh]](images/LV Cup 2011 SB.jpg)
& 
& 
