Rugby Union
Six Nations: All you need to know about England
Discover the ins and outs of England in the Six Nations with our detailed guide as we take a deep dive into key players, match insights, and more.
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History of the Six Nations
The original Home Nations Championship was the first international rugby union tournament in history, first being played in 1883 between England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. That tournament has since evolved into the Six Nations Championship as we know it today.
In 1910, the tournament switched names and became the Five Nations Championship as France were added, with Italy joining 90 years later in 2000 to mark the beginning of the Six Nations Championship.
The victors of the Six Nations are presented with the Championship trophy which dates back to 1993, where it was awarded to France. However, in 2015, a new trophy was created to retire the old one which was representative of the nations that took part in the Five Nations Championship, and to signify the birth of the new era of the tournament.
England’s Past in the Tournament
In the entire history of the competition, England have only been excluded from two tournaments, both in 1888 and 1889, as they refused to join the International Rugby Football Board. However, play resumed for them the next year where England shared the title alongside Scotland in 1890.
Since 1883, England have the most outright wins on 29, with a further 10 shared wins. Wales are almost nailed on even with them, with 28 outright wins but 11 shared wins so this year’s tournament could see a new champion in the eyes of the history books! In the modern era’s Six Nations, England have won 7 times, most recently in 2020.
Key Players for England
Jamie George – Hooker
A new captain has been appointed ahead of England Six Nations campaign this year and comes in the form of Saracens hooker Jamie George, widely considered to be England’s best in that position. He will be the 135th England Rugby Union captain and is the third-highest capped forward in the Six Nations Squad behind Leicester Tigers’ Dan Cole and Harlequins’ Joe Marler.
Marcus Smith – Fly-half
One lad who has burst onto the scene in recent years is Marcus Smith and there are murmurs that he could be Steve Borthwick’s first choice in the number 10 position. Smith has proven himself a pivotal player in the white shirt representing his country over 40 times and seems to be the future the national team. He offers more dynamism to the team and has shown the ability to mobilise the backline in his stint at full back, but seems to be more at home at fly-half moving forward.
Freddie Steward – Full back
Golden boy Freddie Steward is set to finalise the starting XV ahead of their opening Six Nations clash with Italy at full back. At the end of 2022, Steward was named within the team of year as the best full back, and in May last year was awarded player of the season for England, for the second year running. With 31 international caps, Steward is far from inexperienced and will be a pivotal player in this year’s Six Nations Championship.
England’s fixtures in the Six Nations
Italy v England – 3rd February – Stadio Olimpico, Rome.
England v Wales – 10th February – Twickenham Stadium, London.
Scotland v England – 24th February – Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.
England v Ireland – 9th March – Twickenham Stadium, London.
France v England – 16th March – Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon.
