The Six Nations Championship is rugby union’s most prestigious annual tournament in Europe, featuring England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales competing for supremacy.
Dating back to 1910 when it began as the Home Nations Championship, the Six Nations Champions list showcases over a century of rugby excellence and tradition.
The tournament expanded to five nations in 1949 when France joined, then became the Six Nations in 2000 when Italy entered the competition.
This comprehensive guide covers all Six Nations champions from 1910 through 2025, including championship statistics, most titles, and the greatest rugby nations in the competition’s storied history.
Six Nations Champions: Complete Winners List 1910-2025
| Year | Champion | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points For | Grand Slam |
| 2025 | Ireland | 5 | 0 | 0 | 189 | Yes |
| 2024 | Ireland | 5 | 0 | 0 | 205 | Yes |
| 2023 | Ireland | 5 | 0 | 0 | 198 | Yes |
| 2022 | France | 5 | 0 | 0 | 201 | Yes |
| 2021 | Wales | 4 | 0 | 1 | 172 | No |
| 2020 | England | 4 | 0 | 1 | 189 | No |
| 2019 | Wales | 5 | 0 | 0 | 211 | Yes |
| 2018 | Ireland | 5 | 0 | 0 | 195 | Yes |
| 2017 | England | 5 | 0 | 0 | 203 | Yes |
| 2016 | England | 5 | 0 | 0 | 198 | Yes |
| 2015 | Wales | 5 | 0 | 0 | 214 | Yes |
| 2014 | Wales | 5 | 0 | 0 | 207 | Yes |
| 2013 | Wales | 5 | 0 | 0 | 216 | Yes |
| 2012 | Wales | 5 | 0 | 0 | 209 | Yes |
| 2011 | Wales | 4 | 0 | 1 | 188 | No |
| 2010 | France | 5 | 0 | 0 | 217 | Yes |
| 2009 | Ireland | 5 | 0 | 0 | 201 | Yes |
| 2008 | Wales | 5 | 0 | 0 | 213 | Yes |
| 2007 | France | 5 | 0 | 0 | 219 | Yes |
| 2006 | France | 5 | 0 | 0 | 221 | Yes |
| 2005 | Wales | 5 | 0 | 0 | 211 | Yes |
| 2004 | France | 4 | 0 | 1 | 197 | No |
| 2003 | England | 5 | 0 | 0 | 221 | Yes |
| 2002 | France | 5 | 0 | 0 | 223 | Yes |
| 2001 | England | 5 | 0 | 0 | 215 | Yes |
| 2000 | England | 5 | 0 | 0 | 198 | Yes |
| 1999 | Scotland | 4 | 0 | 1 | 165 | No |
| 1998 | France | 4 | 0 | 1 | 189 | No |
| 1997 | France | 4 | 1 | 0 | 201 | No |
| 1996 | England | 4 | 0 | 1 | 192 | No |
| 1995 | England | 3 | 2 | 0 | 176 | No |
| 1994 | Wales | 3 | 0 | 2 | 154 | No |
| 1993 | France | 4 | 0 | 1 | 191 | No |
| 1992 | England | 4 | 0 | 1 | 209 | No |
| 1991 | England | 4 | 0 | 1 | 216 | No |
| 1990 | Scotland | 4 | 0 | 1 | 187 | No |
| 1989 | France | 4 | 0 | 1 | 206 | No |
| 1988 | France | 5 | 0 | 0 | 223 | Yes |
| 1987 | France | 4 | 0 | 1 | 198 | No |
| 1986 | France | 4 | 0 | 1 | 204 | No |
| 1985 | Ireland | 3 | 0 | 2 | 161 | No |
| 1984 | Scotland | 4 | 0 | 1 | 179 | No |
| 1983 | Ireland | 3 | 0 | 2 | 158 | No |
| 1982 | Ireland | 3 | 0 | 2 | 166 | No |
| 1981 | France | 4 | 0 | 1 | 205 | No |
| 1980 | England | 4 | 0 | 1 | 189 | No |
| 1979 | France | 4 | 0 | 1 | 217 | No |
| 1978 | Wales | 4 | 0 | 1 | 198 | No |
| 1977 | France | 4 | 0 | 1 | 223 | No |
| 1976 | Wales | 4 | 0 | 1 | 206 | No |
| 1975 | Wales | 3 | 0 | 2 | 167 | No |
| 1974 | Ireland | 3 | 0 | 2 | 159 | No |
| 1973 | Wales | 3 | 0 | 2 | 151 | No |
| 1972 | Wales | 4 | 0 | 1 | 204 | No |
| 1971 | Wales | 4 | 0 | 1 | 209 | No |
| 1970 | Wales | 3 | 0 | 2 | 156 | No |
| 1969 | Wales | 3 | 0 | 2 | 162 | No |
The Six Nations Champions list extends back to 1910 when the tournament began as an amateur competition.
Wales, England, and France have dominated the championship throughout history, combining for the majority of titles across generations.
Most Six Nations Championships: Record Titles
Wales leads all nations with 39 Six Nations Champions titles since 1910. England has captured 34 championships, while France has won 31 times across more than a century of rugby excellence.
Ireland currently holds strong momentum with recent dominance, claiming four titles between 2018 and 2025.
The dominance of these four nations reflects rugby’s historical development in the British Isles and France. Scotland has won 15 championships, while Italy won zero titles since joining in 2000, facing stronger opposition at the elite level of European rugby.
Six Nations Champions by Total Titles:
- Wales: 39 championships
- England: 34 championships
- France: 31 championships
- Ireland: 12 championships
- Scotland: 15 championships
- Italy: 0 championships
Recent Six Nations Champions have shown shifts in rugby power. Ireland claimed three consecutive Grand Slams from 2023-2025, establishing themselves as the dominant team in modern rugby. France reached new heights with their 2022 Grand Slam victory.
Grand Slams: Defeating All Rivals in One Season
A Grand Slam in the Six Nations means defeating every other team in a single championship season. This achievement remains the ultimate test of rugby excellence and consistency at the highest level.
France has achieved 10 Grand Slams across their championship history. Wales follows with 12 Grand Slam victories, making them the most consistent performer in this category.
England has won 13 Grand Slams, demonstrating their strategic dominance throughout different eras of rugby union.
Ireland’s recent grand slam victories in 2023, 2024, and 2025 represent the modern era of Six Nations Champions performance.
These consecutive triumphs establish Ireland as the current elite force in European rugby competition.
Grand Slam Champions by Frequency:
- England: 13 Grand Slams
- Wales: 12 Grand Slams
- France: 10 Grand Slams
- Ireland: 8 Grand Slams
- Scotland: 3 Grand Slams
- Italy: 0 Grand Slams
The intensity required for Grand Slam victories shapes how teams prepare throughout the season. Every match matters equally in the round-robin format, making consistency crucial for Six Nations Champions seeking perfection.
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Recent Six Nations Champions: 2025, 2024, 2023
Ireland dominated the 2025 Six Nations Championship with a perfect 5-0 record and another Grand Slam. Their consistent attacking rugby and defensive strength secured another championship title, extending their recent dominance of European rugby.
The 2024 championship saw Ireland claim another Grand Slam victory. This achievement made them the first team in modern rugby to win consecutive Grand Slams in the Six Nations. Their performance levels remained exceptionally high across all five matches throughout the tournament.
Wales captured the 2023 Six Nations Champions title with another Grand Slam, though recent seasons have seen them yield dominance to Irish rugby. The championship remained competitive, but Wales demonstrated their enduring quality in European rugby union.
Ireland’s three consecutive Six Nations Championships from 2023-2025 represent the most dominant period by any nation in the modern era. Their consistency reflects superior coaching, player development, and rugby philosophy that surpasses their historical rivals.
Historical Dominance: The Evolution of Six Nations Champions
Wales dominated rugby for decades in the twentieth century. Their golden era from 1950-1979 produced multiple Grand Slams and established traditions that defined Welsh rugby culture.
During this period, Wales claimed numerous Six Nations Championships and became synonymous with rugby excellence.
France emerged as a dominant force starting in the 1960s. Their modern rugby philosophy emphasized flair, speed, and attacking play.
The French produced numerous Six Nations Champions who influenced how European rugby developed over subsequent decades.
England achieved their greatest period of dominance from 1990-2003. This era included three Grand Slams and multiple Six Nations Championships.
Their structured approach to the game created consistent winners who established England as a serious rugby power.
Shared Championships and Unusual Circumstances
The Six Nations Champions list occasionally shows shared titles when nations finished with identical records.
Multiple teams have earned co-championship status throughout history when points differentials remained equal. Modern rules have evolved to prevent ties through bonus point systems introduced in recent decades.
The 1999 Five Nations Championship went to Scotland on points difference, marking one of the closest championship races in tournament history.
These moments demonstrate how competitive rugby at the highest level has always been. The Six Nations Champions determination has required increasingly sophisticated statistics to resolve close competitions.
Italy’s Entry: 2000 and Beyond
Italy joined the Six Nations in 2000, expanding from five nations to the current six-nation format. This addition created immediate challenges for the Italian national team facing rugby’s elite European powers.
Despite significant investment in rugby development, Italy has never won a Six Nations Championship, though they have recorded victories against various opponents throughout their participation.
The Italian entry changed competitive balance and expanded rugby’s footprint across Europe.
The Six Nations Championships now represent rugby union at its most competitive level, featuring six distinct rugby cultures and traditions in annual competition.
Home Nations Championship Era: 1910-1949
Before France officially joined, the tournament operated as the Home Nations Championship with England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
This era produced legendary Six Nations Champions and established the foundation for modern rugby union competition.
Wales dominated the Home Nations Championship with consistent excellence. Their rugby traditions, developed through valleys mining communities, created sustainable advantage over rivals.
The championship format remained consistent from 1910 through 1939, establishing tournament credibility that survives today.
FAQs
What is the Six Nations Championship?
The Six Nations Championship is an annual rugby union tournament featuring England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales competing in a round-robin format each spring.
Which nation won the most Six Nations Championships?
Wales has won 39 Six Nations Championships, more than any other competing nation throughout the tournament’s history.
Has any team won consecutive Grand Slams?
Ireland won consecutive Grand Slams in 2023, 2024, and 2025, becoming the first team in modern rugby to achieve this feat.
How many Grand Slams has England won?
England has won 13 Grand Slam victories, the most of any Six Nations Championship nation historically.
When did Italy join the Six Nations?
Italy officially joined the Six Nations in 2000, expanding the tournament from five to six competing rugby nations.
What does Grand Slam mean in rugby?
A Grand Slam means defeating every other team in the Six Nations Championship during a single season.
