The Triple Crown is an honour only the four home nations can achieve in the annual Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Triple Crown first came into existence in the inaugural Home Nations Championship, contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in 1883. It’s remained part of the tournament as it’s become the Five Nations (with the addition of France), and subsequently the Six Nations (following Italy’s entry in 2000).
The Triple Crown was originally an informal honour, much like the Grand Slam is today – it was even known as the “Invisible Cup” because there was nothing for the winning captain to pick up. But since 2006, a new addition to the Six Nations trophy cabinet has rewarded the achievement of beating the other home nations.
The design of this Six Nations trophy takes elements of each home nation into account, with its four-sided base featuring a rose, a shamrock, a thistle, and the Prince of Wales feathers.
Since the trophy was introduced, it has been won seven times by Ireland, four times by Wales, and three times by England.
Games involving France and Italy have no bearing on the Triple Crown because the prize can only be won by a home nation defeating the three other home nations over the course of a single championship. As a result, a team can win the Six Nations but not the Triple Crown – and vice versa.
Read more: Who has won the Six Nations Championship?
Ireland were the last side to win the Triple Crown. In 2025, Andy Farrell’s team beat England, Scotland and Wales, but missed out on the championship (and a Grand Slam) thanks to their defeat to France in Dublin.
Wales’ were eliminated from the running for a 2026 Triple Crown by their opening day defeat to England, while England themselves fell by the wayside after their Calcutta Cup loss to Scotland the following weekend. Ireland and Scotland are both still in the running and, if both win their remaining matches against England and/or Wales, they could fight it out in a Triple Crown decider in the final round of Six Nations 2026 fixtures.
If Scotland were to win a Triple Crown this year, it would be their first in the Six Nations era.
England were the first team to achieve a Triple Crown and have won it a record 26 times. Wales have lifted the Invisible Cup 22 times, while Ireland have picked up 14. Scotland, the least successful home nation in the Triple crown stakes, have only prevailed on 10 occasions.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: rugbyworld.com
