The Six Nations is back this weekend and from a fans’ point of view, the 2018 tournament looks set to be one of the greatest yet. This year England are hoping to make history and be the first team to win the Six Nations 3 times in a row. However, it could so easily be one of the other 5 countries who pull off a massive upset and win this year’s’ trophy. To quote the 70’s America TV show… ‘It’s anybody’s game.’
History
The Six Nations began 135 years ago in 1883 and it was the first ever Rugby Union tournament by the four home nations of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Previous to that; the tournament was called the Home Nation Championships.
It wasn’t until 1910 that France would join the tournament and it took them 49 years to win it, becoming champions in 1959. France was then expelled from the competition between 1932 and 1939 after allegations of professionalism. This is before 1995 when Rugby Union was an amateur sport meaning no professionals could compete in the tournament.
Italy joined the tournament in 2000 officially making it the Six Nations as we know it today. Italy has yet to win the Six Nations but they have won the Wooden Spoon trophy (A trophy given to the nation that finishes last) the most out of all 6 nations since 2000. Not as impressive as they hoped I’m sure.
England has more outright wins than any other country. They hold the record for outright wins at 28 with 45 Home Nations wins, (before France & Italy), 17 Five Nations wins (Before Italy) and 6, Six Nation Tournament Championship Crowns.
Wales are a close second with 26 wins in total; 5 of which are in the Six Nations competition. France, being late to the game have fewer wins, however, they have still won the tournament outright 17 times and won the Six Nations 5 times. Scotland have won the tournament outright 15 times and Ireland have won it 13 times. Italy however, have never won the competition.
No teams as of yet, have won the competition outright 3 times in a row. (Come on England!)
Six Nations 2018
That brings us to this years Six Nations. Scotland travel to Wales to kick off the 2018 tournament at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff today. Back to back winners England will then begin their tilt at a third straight title in Italy on Sunday.
The final matches will take on the 17th of March with Italy against Scotland, England against Ireland and Wales against France. England is currently favourite to win with Ireland the most likely to stop them. Italy is the least likely to win however the first game could change everything.
Where to watch the Six Nations
Nottinghamshire
Das Kino
22 Fletcher Gate
Nottingham
NG1 2FZ
Drawing influence from iconic German Cinema, Das Kino breathes new life into an incredible building in the heart of Nottingham. They will be showing all the games starting with Wales v Scotland this Saturday at 2.15pm.
The Horn In Hand
Goldsmith St,
Nottingham
NG1 5JT
A welcoming and informal bar in a student area. It is an ideal place to watch the big games on TV whilst eating and drinking from street food influenced menus. They will be showing all the Six Nations Games.
Rileys Nottingham
17A St James Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 6FH
Based in the heart of the city centre, Rileys Sports Bar Nottingham offers sports fans a fantastic place to watch live sport. The Fanzone has a 3-metre HD screen and comfy seats, all with a perfect view of the screen. Along with great offers at the bar and a lively atmosphere. A great place to watch the Six Nations this month.
The Trent Navigation Inn
17 Meadow Lane,
Nottingham,
NG2 3HS
This outstanding Victorian pub once fed, watered and housed the men and horses working the Nottingham Canal and throughout the years has at times been much loved or closed and neglected. Now it is a wonderful pub found just outside of the Notts County ground. Live sport is shown in HD on four 42″ screens and they will be showing all the Six Nation games.
Southbank Bar
18 Friar Lane,
Nottingham,
NG1 6DQ
The Southbank Bar is famous for its warm hospitality, comprehensive live sports coverage and fantastic live music. They show every major sports event and are used as a base by many local sports teams. They will be showing all the Six Nations Games live.
Stoke
Walkabout Hanley
38-42 Trinity Street,
Hanley,
ST1 5LJ
As the self-proclaimed home of live sport, Walkabout brings you all the action on our massive HD big screen and HD TVs. They will be showing all the Six Nations games these next two months.
Terrace Inn
Penkhull New Road,
Stoke-on-Trent,
ST4 5DG
The Terrace Inn has a fantastic atmosphere and will be showing all the 2018 Six Nation Games. They have a great range of food available and serve a variety of drinks, including cask ales and cocktails.
Liquor Vault
119 Church Street Stoke,
Stoke-On-Trent,
ST4 1DB
The Liquor Vault is located in Stoke town centre. They have many screens around our pub for you to watch all live sport on. That includes the Six Nations and they will be showing every game.
Sheffield
Yates Sheffield
2 – 6 Cambridge Street,
Sheffield,
S1 4HP
Situated in the heart of the city centre, Yates offers something for everyone. Great value food offers during the day and a lively atmosphere in the evening. They will be showing all the Six Nations games in February and March.
The Globe
54 Howard Street,
Sheffield,
S1 2LX
With a great food menu and a wide range of beers, including 3 well looked after casks, The Globe is your new home for sports! They will be showing every Six Nations Match throughout the next two months.
The Common Room
127-129 Devonshire Street,
Sheffield,
S3 7SB
A modern and vast 2-storey sports bar. You can play pool or ping pong whilst eating some amazing food. Showing this year Six Nations games.
Birmingham
The Railway
Hill Street,
Birmingham,
B1 1PU
A high street pub, located conveniently adjacent to New Street Station/Grand Central. Sports fans benefit from 7 screens (including a projector), with more to come in the near future. They are huge fans of sports and will be showing the Six Nations throughout the tournament.
The Windsor
33 Cannon Street,
Birmingham,
B2 5EE
There’s always a warm welcome waiting for you at The Windsor. They serve delicious food and have a wide range of drinks available too. They love sports, so whether you’re looking to watch European football, international rugby, or the World Darts Championship. They will be showing it and that includes this years Six Nations.
Crown Hotel
182 Corporation Street City Centre,
Birmingham,
B4 6UD
With 5 HD plasma screen showing the best action from Sky Sports and BT Sport. The Crown is the place to be for all your City Centre sporting needs including this year Six Nations.
Leicester
Loaded Dog
144 London Road,
Leicester,
LE2 1ED
The Loaded Dog, Leicester, is a stones throw from the University of Leicester. They offer great-value food and drink throughout the day and have a great atmosphere later at night. Featuring two Sky boxes and two big screens they are a great place to watch sport and will be showing all the Six Nations Games.
Bowling Green
44 Oxford Street,
Leicester,
LE1 5XW
The Bowling Green is in the heart of Leicester. The pub is one of the oldest in Leicester and is a focal point before, during and after Leicester Tigers and Leicester City home games, mixing students and locals. They will be showing every Six Nations game.
Duffy’s Bar
18 Pocklingtons Walk,
Leicester,
LE1 6BU
A fab city centre pub showing sports, including the 6 Nations as well as lots of live music. With a great atmosphere, it is an amazing place to watch the Six Nations over the next two months.
O’Neills Leicester
16-20 Loseby Lane,
Leicester,
LE1 5DR
A recently refurbishment pub that is looking fantastic. They have got loads of huge TVs around the pub, so you can catch all the action, from Champions League to international rugby. That includes the Six Nations which will be shown throughout February and March.
Chesterfield
The Old English Inn
25 Market Street,
Clay Cross,
S45 9JE
A traditional pub in the nearby area to Chesterfield. They are showing all the Six Nations games this February and March. A rich experience for everyone who loves sports.
Bluebell
26 Cavendish Street,
Chesterfield,
S40 1UY
They have recently been refurbished to a very high standard and have been modernised yet they have been careful to keep the traditional pub feel. They have an impressive circular corner building offers you a warm welcome and a great atmosphere. You can watch all the Six Nations games at this fantastic pub.
The Burlington
29-31 Burlington Street,
Chesterfield,
S40 1RS
Want to know where to watch the match? Come down to The Burlington with their big screen and 6 TV’s, there’s nowhere to sit where you cant have 1 eye on the game. You can watch all the Six Nations games at this fantastic pub.
Ledbury
Hogarths
59 Commercial Road,
Hereford,
HR1 2BP
The No.1 destination for all live sport, 16screens and 3 systems allows them to show multi-events at the same time. This includes the Six Nations which will be shown here throughout the next two months.
The Imperial Hereford
31 Widemarsh Street,
Hereford,
HR4 9EA
A food and entertainment pub in the heart of historic Hereford which is close to Ledbury. This fantastic pub will be showing all the Six Nations games over the next two months.