From Ireland’s shot at history to Italy’s raised expectations, the 2025 championship has all the ingredients to rival past classics. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Six Nations and what strikes me on the eve of the tournament is how much of a reassuring presence on the calendar the championship has become. The World Cup is a wonderful tournament but there is debate over how many teams should feature, the Champions Cup has been tinkered with in terms of format and the Premiership has undergone changes, whether it be the number of teams or the absence of promotion and relegation. Against that backdrop, having a tournament as consistently familiar as the Six Nations is special.
![[Ugo Monye]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2019/01/31/Ugo_Monye,_L.png?width=180&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Whether you’re a supporter, an administrator, a player or a broadcaster, we all believe that the Six Nations is the shining light of rugby. It is the one tournament where there is a unified belief that it is still the greatest competition. In the coming weeks we’ll have 10s of millions of viewers watching our sport, it is our moment in the spotlight.
![[England’s Marcus Smith reacts as he scores a try against France in the Six Nations.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/4937f8c79a5fdee9fcd46e28bd50ff270f9ac093/288_333_5098_3059/master/5098.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
As a supporter when I was younger, I remember being at school when the Five Nations became Six in 2000. My greatest memory is of England’s trip to Ireland in 2003. Turning up to Lansdowne Road, the kerfuffle over Martin Johnson refusing to change sides to accommodate the Ireland president before England went on to claim a famous 42-6 victory and secure the grand slam.
In my playing days, I was fortunate enough to represent England in the championship and one of my fondest memories was my first start for England in the Six Nations at home to Scotland in 2009. We won the Calcutta Cup that day and I scored my first international try.
