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The RBS Six Nations Championship

February - March 2006

The Six Nations is the premier northern hemisphere international rugby union tournament held every year, in which the six nations, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Italy, compete. The 6 Nations competition was initially conceived as The Five Nations (England, France, Wales, Ireland and Scotland) with the first event taking place in 1910. Italy joined in 2000 to make it a Six Nations championship.

The first 2006 6 Nations matches will take place on 4th February 2006 with England v Wales, and Ireland v Italy.

The six international rugby union teams compete for the RBS 6 Nations Championship Trophy.

Qualifying for the RBS Six Nations Championship

The Six Nations competition is limited to the national teams of Wales, Italy, England, France, Scotland and Ireland. There were only five teams able to take part, until 2000, when the competition was expanded to allow Italy to join.

Format of the RBS Six Nations Championship

The Six Nations rugby union tournament is conducted in a league format, whereby every team plays each other and the winner is the team that scores the most points. Each team plays each other once, with home advantage in alternate seasons. This gives a total of 15 matches played over seven weekends in February and March.

Winners receive 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. If two or more teams finish at the top with the same points total, then the winner is decided on points difference. If there is still no winner, then the RBS 6 Nations Championship Trophy is given to the team that scored the most tries in the tournament. In the unlikely eventuality that this also fails to produce a victor, the trophy is shared between the teams.

If a team beats all the sides, then they are given the title of Grand Slam winner.

The title of Triple Crown is also competed for during the competition. If one of the home union teams (England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland) beats the other three then they claim the Triple Crown for a year.

The 6 Nations Championship is also famous for including other cup matches between various countries. The match between England and Scotland is also a battle for The Calcutta Cup and the winner of the match between England and Ireland gets The Millennium Trophy.

Previous Winners of the RBS Six Nations Championship

England and France have dominated the Six Nations so far this decade, with Wales breaking through to win in 2005.

Here are the winners of the last five rugby union Six Nations Championship:

• 2006: France
• 2005: Wales
• 2004: France
• 2003: England
• 2002: France

Fixtures for the 2006 RBS Six Nations Championship

The fixtures for the 2006 Six Nations Championship are as follows:

• 4 February 2006 Ireland vs. Italy
• 4 February 2006 England vs. Wales
• 5 February 2006 Scotland vs. France
• 11 February 2006 France vs. Ireland
• 11 February 2006 Italy vs. England
• 12 February 2006 Wales vs. Scotland
• 25 February 2006 France vs. Italy
• 25 February 2006 Scotland vs. England
• 26 February 2006 Ireland vs. Wales
• 11 March 2006 Wales vs. Italy
• 11 March 2006 Ireland vs. Scotland
• 12 March 2006 France vs. England
• 18 March 2006 Italy vs. Scotland
• 18 March 2006 Wales vs. France
• 18 March 2006 England vs. Ireland.

Betting on the RBS Six Nations Championship

There are many ways to bet on Six Nations Rugby, from the first try scorer to the overall winner. You can bet on which side achieves the grand slam or who scores the most tries (team or player), giving you plenty of choice.

As for form, England, France and Ireland are considered to be favourites with last year's winners Wales and Scotland currently experiencing a lull in form during the Autumn Internationals. Italy are believed to be still finding their feet in the competition.

For the latest odds on the 2006 RBS Six Nations Championship from a range of bookmakers and betting exchanges, visit our Latest Odds section.

The Six Nations Championship is only one of many events in the rugby union calendar. Check out other rugby union events!

If you are new to betting and want to place a bet on the Six Nations Championship be sure to check out our Rugby Union - How To Bet section for some betting hints and tips.

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