Six Nations: The History - Part 2

Part 2:  1947 to Present Day

The tournament only resumed in 1947 and it was in that year that France were re-instated to make it the Five Nations once again. Ireland won their one and only Grand Slam in 1948 and followed it up with the Triple Crown twelve months later which is the only time, to date, that Ireland have won back-to-back championships.

The re-entrance of the French national side into the Five Nations fold in 1947 proved to be the beginning of the rise in Gallic rugby. France shared the title in 1954 and would win it outright in 1959, driven by stars such as the inspirational lock forward Lucien Mias, fullback Pierre Lacaze and flanker Francois Moncla. The 1959 title win was the first of four consecutive championships for a French side who would follow them up with title wins in 1967 and 1968.

The 1970s was a decade of mixed fortunes for both the Championship and the teams. In 1972 the Championship could not be completed as both Scotland and Wales refused to play in Dublin due to the escalating sectarian troubles in Northern Ireland. The following year the tournament uniquely finished in a five way tie with all countries winning two and losing two games.

But for Wales, the 1970s were a golden age of Welsh rugby as they won three Grand Slams and one Triple Crown led by legendary players such as fullback JPR Williams and scrum-half Gareth Edwards. However, their title win of 1979 would be their last for another 15 years.

England struggled throughout the 1970s and most of the 1980s - their only relief Billy Beaumont's Grand Slam side of 1980. The mantle of championship side was scooped up by France in the 1980's as they won the title outright three times, including two Grand Slams in 1981 and 1987, and shared the honours for another three. Scotland would win their first Grand Slam for 59 years in 1984 and Ireland would win the title twelve months later but have not won it since.

The 1990 tournament came down to a single epic Grand Slam decider at Murrayfield in which Scotland defeated the auld enemy, England, to take the title. However, England would not be denied the glory for long and romped to two consecutive Grand Slams in 1991 and 1992. England would secure two more titles in 1995 and 1996 before France won consecutive Grand Slams in 1997 and 1998.

In the closing years of the twentieth century, the Five Nations tournament came under increasing pressure as the world's premier rugby union tournament from the southern hemisphere Tri-Nations competition. As part of the Championship's response, the 1999 Five Nations Championship was the last of the historic format as Italy joined to make it Six team as the competition entered its third century.

In the inaugural Six Nations, England took the title but were denied the Grand Slam at the final hurdle as they slipped up against Scotland in the last game of the tournament. That result spared the Scots the ignominy of the Whitewash, and the Wooden Spoon, which went to the newcomers Italy on points difference. Ireland enjoyed their best Championship for many years as they finished third behind France whilst Wales finished close behind in fourth. 
 
The 2001 Six Nations was, for the first time since 1972, a tournament that was dominated by off-the-field news. The tournament had kicked off as promised but the outbreak of the agricultural disease foot-and-mouth in mid-February in the United Kingdom was to have severe repercussions on the rugby. Ireland, fearful of fans bringing the disease in to the country, postponed three of their games meaning the tournament could not be finished until September/October of 2001.

For the history of the tournament from 1882 to 1939, click here.