Each year, as dreary January finally gives way, anticipation grows for one of rugby's most popular traditions – the Six Nations Championship. Featuring England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Italy, and France, the tournament has roots stretching back to the late 1800s, and remains one of rugby union's premier international competitions.
Last weekend, the 2024 edition of the Six Nations began with 3 hotly-contested fixtures. In Marseille, Ireland sent a message to the rest of the competition with a stunning 38–17 victory over Rugby World Cup quarter-finalists France. Meanwhile, at Stadio Olimpico in Rome, England began their campaign with a 27–24 win against Italy. However, the most exciting game of the round came at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff where Scotland raced to a 27–0 lead before Wales scored 26 unanswered points in the second half to create a nail-biting finish. Ultimately, the Scots hung on, claiming their first win in Cardiff for 22 years.
Many rugby fans might still be recovering from the opening slate of fixtures, but there's already more action on the way. This weekend, Round 2 of the competition begins on Saturday 10 February as Scotland take on France in Edinburgh, followed by England vs Wales at Twickenham. On Sunday, Ireland and Italy bring the weekend's action to a close as they go head-to-head at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The Six Nations will continue throughout February and into March, with the final round of matches taking place on 16 March. While every game is a bitter clash between well-established rivals, headline matches to look out for deeper in the competition include England and Scotland's battle for the Calcutta Cup on 24 February, as well as Ireland vs England on 9 March with the Millennium Trophy on the line.
Always a vastly popular event, the Six Nations invites huge demand for tickets each year. In 2024, many official tickets sold out quickly, but some may still be available for matches later in the competition. A wide range of reseller tickets is generally available for all matches, meaning fans still have the chance to join in with this year's biggest celebration of rugby across the UK and Europe.
For more information on the 2024 Six Nations, or to purchase tickets, click here.