Taking place each year from the first weekend of February and usually concluding around mid-March, the Six Nations is contested by the international sides of France, England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
Every team plays each of the other five once, with home advantage alternating each year, giving a total of 15 games per championship. A win earns four points, while a draw earns both teams two points.
The losing team receives no points, however a bonus point can be picked up by a team regardless of whether win, lose or draw, as long as they score four or more tries in a game. Losing sides can also pick up two bonus points if they score four tries or more and lose by a margin of seven points or fewer.
The team with the most points wins the Championship Trophy, and five victories earns the ultra-prestigious Grand Slam accolade.