1. Introduction
The 2023 Men’s Six Nations Championship, held from 4 February to 18 March 2023, marked the 24th edition of the competition in its six-nation format and the 129th overall since its origins as the Home Nations Championship.
Defending champions France entered the tournament after their 2022 Grand Slam triumph, but it was Ireland who rose to the top — claiming their 15th title, a 13th Triple Crown, and their fourth Grand Slam. Remarkably, it was the first time Ireland sealed a Grand Slam on home soil in Dublin.
The championship was defined by record-breaking tries, major milestones, and the rise of standout performers like Antoine Dupont, Damian Penaud, and Hugo Keenan.
2. Tournament Overview
Ireland were the dominant force throughout, combining clinical precision with composure under pressure. Led by Johnny Sexton in his final Six Nations, Andy Farrell’s men defeated all five opponents to complete a perfect campaign, highlighted by decisive victories over France and England.
France, although unable to retain their crown, played some exhilarating rugby. Their emphatic 53–10 victory at Twickenham over England was their biggest ever against the old rivals and one of the most complete performances of the modern era. Thomas Ramos’ reliability and Damian Penaud’s finishing prowess stood out across the tournament.
Scotland delivered their strongest Six Nations in years, earning three wins — including another Calcutta Cup triumph over England — and thrilling attacking play from Finn Russell and Huw Jones.
England, under new head coach Steve Borthwick, experienced an inconsistent campaign with flashes of promise but little cohesion, finishing fourth.
Wales, in Warren Gatland’s return, struggled to rebuild and managed only one win, while Italy played with courage and creativity but were left winless despite some close contests.
3. Key Results
- Ireland 32–19 France – A defining clash between the world’s top two sides
- France 53–10 England – France’s record win at Twickenham
- Scotland 35–7 Wales – Scotland’s biggest-ever victory over Wales
- Ireland 29–16 England – Grand Slam sealed in Dublin on St. Patrick’s weekend
4. Final Standings
| Pos | Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 1 | Ireland | 27 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | +79 |
| 🥈 2 | France | 20 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | +59 |
| 🥉 3 | Scotland | 15 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | +20 |
| 4 | England | 10 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | −35 |
| 5 | Wales | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | −63 |
| 6 | Italy | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | −60 |
5. Statistical Highlights
- Champions: Ireland (15th title, 4th Grand Slam)
- Triple Crown: Ireland (13th)
- Top points scorer: Thomas Ramos (France) – 84 points
- Top try scorer: Damian Penaud (France) – 5 tries
- Player of the Championship: Antoine Dupont (France)
- Total tries: 91 (record total, 6.07 per match)
- Total attendance: 1,010,930 (average 67,395 per match)