by Mark Hopkins

Created on: March 08, 2009   Last Updated: March 09, 2009

The Rugby 'Triple Crown' is competed for by the British home nations, namely England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. (When it began in 1882 Ireland was still part of the United Kingdom.) The four countries' national Rugby Union teams each play one another once, annually, as part of a wider contest, the 'Six Nations', involving France and Italy too. The issue of home advantage naturally has some impact on teams, so this alternates each year. No side plays the same opponent twice consecutively at home. Neutral venues are not used, the norm being to play in the national stadium of the home team. This is, of course, quite intimidating to the visiting side!

To win the Triple Crown, one of the four home nations has to beat all three of its rivals, so in many years no Triple Crown is awarded. The first holders were the Welsh, who defeated England, Ireland and Scotland in 1893. Since then, it has been won only 60 times. The following tally of Triple Crown successes has emerged since:

Ireland 9

Scotland 10

Wales 19

England 23

Although on the face of things this seems to reflect best on the English, it has to be remembered that England has by far the highest population, several times that of Ireland, Wales and Scotland combined. For its size, Wales has the most to be proud of, and indeed Rugby is the Welsh national game, well ahead of Football (Soccer) or Cricket in popularity. Success in the Triple Crown palpably raises the national mood!

The team doing worst each year has the ignominy of, being holder of the 'wooden spoon'!

The was no actual Triple Crown trophy during most of the history of the competition, the teams' motivation lying in the honour and prestige which accompanied success. However, in 2006 a trophy was presented to the winner for the first time. A silver dish, 42 cm wide and 5 cm deep and weighing 3 kg was made by the Edingurgh company Hamilton and Inches, and this now gives a more concrete prize to the victors.

Although on good terms with each other, the four home nations and their supporters approach the Triple Crown with a fervor and determination which would be more in keeping with long standing enemies. Though no quarter is given, nor asked for, on the field of play, among the fans there is an atmosphere of bonhomie. Crowd trouble, for so long a scourge of Football (Soccer) games in Britain and elsewhere, has never been an issue at Rugby games. Sport on the field is mirrored in sportsmanship among the spectators.

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