| The Six Nations inspires fervour in the sporting | | | | more than one occasion, threatened to lynch the |
| world, unlike that of any other sporting event. | | | | referee. In the decade that followed the First |
| Fans paint themselves in patriotic colours, buy up | | | | World War, the French were expelled after |
| the stocks of the latest rugby shirts and travel | | | | players were exposed for carrying stiletto knives |
| from country to country to offer their team their | | | | in their socks. The team were again ousted in |
| unconditional support. It is a sport of the moment | | | | 1931, after a number of their team were found |
| and has thrown itself, in all its vitality and glory, | | | | to have been paid at club level. |
| spectacularly into the 21st Century. But how | | | | The tournament was again postponed as the |
| many fans are aware of its colourful and | | | | result of another war; this time, World War 2. |
| sometimes controversial past? | | | | The championship did not see play for seven |
| The Six Nations is 126 years old. It began in 1882, | | | | years, from the eruption of the War in 1940. |
| when England travelled to Swansea; the | | | | In the 1950's, however, France had left its |
| importance of the occasion would not be realised | | | | scurrilous past behind and underwent a |
| until much later. As it was known then, the | | | | renaissance of their game, sharing the title in 1954 |
| International Championship featured only England, | | | | and winning out-and-out in 1959. |
| Ireland, Scotland and Wales and was far less | | | | The 1970's were a golden era for the proud |
| organised than the standards set by today's | | | | Welsh nation. During that decade they achieved |
| games. The points system had not been | | | | three Grand Slams and a triple crown, establishing |
| structured at that time and teams were judged | | | | them as a force to be reckoned with. The French |
| on a much more basic level: simply, whether they | | | | rose again in the eighties, winning outright on no |
| won or lost. Notwithstanding, the first match was | | | | less than three occasions. |
| won by England, who beat the Welsh by two | | | | England joined France in the 90's as the |
| goals and four tries to none. This first match | | | | tournament's main aggressors, but this led to |
| ignited a spirit of pride and competition that swept | | | | speculation that the standard of competition was |
| the northern hemisphere. | | | | not high enough. In turn, this led to Italy being |
| However, the following series of matches were | | | | invited to join in 2000 and the Six Nations was |
| dogged by dispute and the games of 1885, 1887 | | | | officially borne. |
| and 1889 could not be completed. When the | | | | Now, the tournament has produced a new |
| French joined in 1910, they initially struggled to | | | | generation of rugby fans and inspired a |
| perform with any distinction, triumphing in only | | | | merchandise industry that can put football to |
| one game over their first four years by beating | | | | shame. Dedicated fans scour websites, such as |
| Scotland by one point in 1911. | | | | lovell-rugby.co.uk, determined to display their pride |
| Three years later, the tournament was called to a | | | | in any way they can. Once again the northern |
| halt until 1920 - thanks to the outbreak of the | | | | hemisphere will be awash with rugby shirts, polo |
| Great War. When it was re-established, it was | | | | shirts and caps as fans offer homage to the |
| again a source of dispute and violence: Welsh | | | | sporting giants that represent them. |
| crowds repeatedly invaded the pitch and, on | | | | |