Six Nations history

As Europe's finest prepare to lock horns in the 2010 RBS Six Nations championship, Ben Sullivan look back at great tournaments from the past.

The Six Nations is the annual highlight of the northern hemisphere season and the envy of the rugby-playing world.

The Tri-Nations may boast more world champions and a 'better' standard of rugby, but in terms of profile the Six Nations comes out a clear leader.

Every Six Nations game is played before a capacity crowd and attracts a level of interest the southern hemisphere nations can only envy.

And in terms of revenue - so crucial in today's professional era - the Six Nations is even further ahead.

Crucially, the Six Nations has also become genuinely competitive in recent seasons. France, Wales and England have all enjoyed their eras of domiance over the last 40 years, but since the turn of the century all three, with the addition of Ireland, have been capable of winning Grand Slams - and coming close to picking up Wooden Spons.

With the possible exception of Italy - still finding their feet a decade after their debut - the five other sides are all capable of winning any game on any given day.
It is this unpredictability that has given the Six Nations its pre-eminence in the modern era and five sides will all start this year's championship with genuine hopes of lifting the title.
The tournament has evolved impressively since the first Home International Championship of 1883.

For the first 10 years England and Scotland dominated, before Wales won their first title in 1893. Ireland won their first title a year later