Triple Crown History: What is the Six Nations Triple Crown?

The Triple Crown is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards at the Six Nations. Although the honour dates back to the late 19th century, the Triple Crown trophy wasn’t introduced until 2006. 

Every year, the four home nations compete with the hopes of securing the Triple Crown. But do you know how it’s won? Or which nation has secured the most Triple Crowns?

No matter your question, here are all of the answers to your Six Nations Triple Crown queries.

Which teams compete for the Six Nations Triple Crown?

The original four Home Nations Championship teams compete to win the Triple Crown. The teams are: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Every year, these four sides must beat each of the other three home nations if they wish to claim the Triple Crown trophy. 

There are two teams that don’t contest the Triple Crown: France and Italy. Because of this, the team that claims the trophy is often different from the team that wins the tournament. 

For example, in a year where France wins the Six Nations, they can win the Grand Slam while Wales can finish second and still claim the Triple Crown (they’d beat all the other home nations but lose to France).

When was the Triple Crown first awarded?

England won the first Triple Crown at the inaugural Home Nations Championship in 1883. However, the origins of the phrase ‘Triple Crown’ are unclear. What we do know is that the term ‘Triple Crown’ first appeared in print in 1894, when the Irish Times reported on Ireland’s victories at the tournament.

Additionally, the first Five Nations Triple Crown occurred at the 1911 Championship. More recently, England secured the first Six Nations Triple Crown in 2002.

When was the Triple Crown trophy made?

The Triple Crown trophy was introduced at the 2006 Six Nations. Prior to this, no physical trophy existed and it was often referred to as the ‘invisible cup’. As such, the Triple Crown was considered to be an honorary award or title, just like the Grand Slam. 

The first Triple Crown trophy was created in 1975. A retired miner, Dave Merrington, carved a lump of coal from Haig Colliery. Regarded by some as the ‘real’ Triple Crown, this hand-hewn trophy features a crown that sits on a base that houses emblems of the four nations: a rose, shamrock, thistle and Prince of Wales feathers. Today, the trophy is on display at the Museum of Rugby.

Fast forward to 2006 and the official trophy was unveiled. It was commissioned by the competition’s sponsor, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and designed by Hamilton & Inches. The first official Triple Crown trophy was awarded during the same year, when Ireland won the 2006 Six Nations.

Which team has won the most Triple Crowns? 

England have won more Triple Crowns than any other of the four home nations. To date, they have won 26 Triple Crowns – their first was in 1883 and their most recent was at the 2020 Six Nations.

In total, there were 72 Triple Crown wins between 1883 and 2025. In this period, England have won 26 Triple Crowns, Wales have claimed 22, Ireland have secured 14 and Scotland have won 10. 

Triple Crown results table

Here’s every Triple Crown result by year:

Here are the Triple Crown winners since 2000: