A century of blood, sweat and cheers

By Jonathon Moore
Rugby Union editor

With over 100 years of history, the Five - and now - Six Nations championship is the oldest rugby tournament in the world.

Here, BBC Sport charts is sometimes controversial but always colourful past.

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When the English rugby team travelled to Swansea on a dreary day in 1882, few could have realised the importance of the occasion.

The game, in which England beat Wales by two goals and four tries to none, sparked a festival of rugby that has since become the pride of the northern hemisphere.

Known in the early days as the International Championship - with only England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland competing - it was far less organised.

There was no points system and teams were judged simply on whether they won or lost.

Before the turn of the century the championship was marred by disputes.

Three times (in 1885, 1887 and 1889) it was never completed and even after 1900 it continued to be a source of controversy.

Titles/Grand Slams/Triple Crowns

1	England	25	12	23
2	Wales	22	6	17
3	Scotland	14	3	10
4	France	13	7	-
5	Ireland	10	1	6
6	Italy	0	-	-

Crowds in south Wales habitually invaded the pitch or threatened to lynch the referee and in the 1930s the French were expelled after players were found to have hidden stiletto knives in their socks.

France did not join the fray until 1910 and, despite their later dominance, they struggled at first to achieve any notable success.

In their first four years of entry, the French won just one game - a one point victory over Scotland in 1911.

The outbreak of war in 1914 saw the tournament put on hold until 1920 and the inter-war years were dominated by England as they swept to nine championship victories, including five Grand Slams.

France continued to struggle and when it was discovered that a number of their players had been paid at club level, they were forced to pull out of the tournament in 1931.

War again meant the curtailment of the championship in 1940. When it resumed - in 1947 - it marked the beginning of a new rugby order.

France shared the title in 1954 and won it outright in 1959, driven by stars such as the inspirational lock forward Lucien Mias, full-back Pierre Lacaze and flanker Francois Moncla.

The 1970's brought mixed fortunes for both the tournament and its competing teams.

Gerald Davies tormented defences for Wales during the 1970's

In 1972 the championship could not be completed after Scotland and Wales refused to play in Dublin because of the escalating political problems.

The following year the tournament finished with a unique five way tie - every country having won and lost two games.

For Wales, however, the 1970s were a golden age.

They finished the decade with three Grand Slams and one Triple Crown and were led by legendary players such as full-back JPR Williams and scrum-half Gareth Edwards.

England struggled throughout the 1970s and most of the following decade - their only relief being Bill Beaumont's Grand Slam winning side of 1980.

Instead, it was France who dominated, winning the title outright three times, including two Grand Slams in 1981 and 1987.

In 1984, Scotland won their first Grand Slam for 59 years and Ireland scooped the title 12 months later. They have not won it since.

An Italian flavour

The dominance of England and France during the 1990's brought criticism that the championship had become stale.

In response, the historic five team format was brought to an end by asking Italy to join in 2000.

The decision prompted something of a Celtic revival.

In 1999, Scotland took the championship and Wales finished third, having defeated both England and France.

In 2000 and 2001, England claimed the tournament - but only after losing their final games against Scotland and Ireland respectively.

Italy, meanwhile, started the newly christened Six Nations championship superbly, winning their opening game against Scotland.

The success did not last.

They then 'won' two Wooden Spoons, before claiming only their second championship victory against Wales last year.