The RBS Six Nations

The first weekend in February sees the launch of the 2010 Rugby Union Six Nations championship, a venerable competition that dates back, in the UK and Ireland, to 1883. France joined the championship in 1910, and in 2000 Italy brought the number of competitors up to six.

England holds the record for the number of Grand Slams (wins in every game) won with 12, followed by Wales with 9, France with 8, Scotland with 3 and Ireland with 1.

Each team plays plays the other five once, giving a total of 15 matches per Championship. The much-coveted Championship trophy is presented to the winning team on the final weekend; the wooden spoon for the losing team is purely figurative.

See below for the calendar of fixtures:

Saturday 6 February

Ireland vs. Italy, Croke Park, 14.30

England vs. Wales, Twickenham, 17.00

Sunday 7 February

Scotland vs. France, Murrayfield, 15.00

Saturday 13 February

Wales vs. Scotland, Millennium Stadium, 14.00

France vs. Ireland, 17.30, Stade de France

Sunday 14 February

Italy vs. England, Stadio Flaminio, 15.30

Friday 26 February