Ireland have won four of the last five Six Nations Triple Crowns available.
The Men’s Six Nations Triple Crown was retained by Ireland when they defeated Scotland on Saturday 14 March 2026.
It was the fourth time in five years Andy Farrell’s team have claimed the honour, even though they missed out on the Six Nations trophy this year.The prize is awarded to any of the home nations if they achieve a clean sweep over the other home nations over the course of a single championship.
England and Wales have both won multiple Six Nations Triple Crowns since the competition expanded to include Italy in 2000, but Scotland are still waiting for their first.
What is the Triple Crown?
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).
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?
England were the first team to achieve a Triple Crown and have won it a record 26 times. Wales have achieved the honour 22 times, while Ireland have picked up 15. Scotland, the least successful home nation in the Triple crown stakes, have only prevailed on 10 occasions.
What do you get for winning the Triple Crown?
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 eight times by Ireland, four times by Wales, and three times by England.
Six Nations Triple Crown winners
- 2002 – England
- 2003 – England
- 2004 – Ireland
- 2005 – Wales
- 2006 – Ireland
- 2007 – Ireland
- 2008 – Wales
- 2009 – Ireland
- 2012 – Wales
- 2014 – England
- 2016 – England
- 2018 – Ireland
- 2019 – Wales
- 2020 – England
- 2021 – Wales
- 2022 – Ireland
- 2023 – Ireland
- 2025 – Ireland
- 2026 – Ireland
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