The Brutal Joy of Six Nations Rugby

By Jack Carrigan

It is roughly halfway through the Guiness Six Nations Championship and the action has created a special sporting atmosphere. Italy has played two tight games thus far, and the team will now turn their attention to France on February 22nd followed by the mighty English on March 7th which will mark their next home contest. 

The first match kicked off Saturday, February 7th, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, a stadium that can hold around 70,000 fans. Italy squared off with Scotland in a thriller which saw the Italians pull away with a 18-15 victory. Italy was led by their captain Michele Lamaro, a flanker who embodies the grit and relentlessness his team needs to thrive at this level.

Italy then faced off in Ireland where they dropped a narrow 20-13 game to the Irish, however they still proved their talent on the pitch. 

All eyes will be focused on March 7th as a true spectacle of a game is expected to be played within the confines of Stadio Olimpico. The English will bring fierce crowds as they look to knock off the Italians when they face off in only a few weeks time. 

While this event is well-known all over Europe, many American students have little to no idea the thrill they are missing out on. However, as the winter season starts to turn towards spring in Europe, rugby fans know exactly what time it is. 

This is a season of emotion, tradition, rivalry, and pure sporting drama. For five weekends, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, and Italy collide in a competition that feels as old as the game itself, even as it continues to evolve. 

Rugby is a sport that embodies toughness and brutal physicality. Collisions similar to American football are regularities, however players do not wear padding or helmets. Witnessing the action can be a bit jarring at times as players sacrifice their bodies for the greater good of the team through scrums, jumps, and tackles. 

One of Europe’s most popular sports is rugby. Fans will travel from all over the continent to witness the blood, sweat, and tears of players who devote their lives to succeeding in this tournament. 

European Rugby followers carry deep pride in the outcome of their home country, leading to a raucous atmosphere at games. Chants and crazed fanatics waving flags and screaming at players are commonplace. The stadiums are filled to the brim and tension is felt throughout the entire duration of the game. Although mayhem is constant, rugby fans are quite respectful and there is very little chance for altercations in the stands unlike soccer. 

While many Americans are unfamiliar with the rules of the game, it is fairly easy to learn and understand. 

Rugby consists of two teams of 15 players aiming to score points primarily by grounding the ball over the opponent’s try line to qualify as a successful try, followed by a conversion kick. The sport uses a point system where a try is worth five points and a conversion kick two. Additionally, players can score using a drop kick during play for three points. 

All matches consist of two forty minute halves and unlike American football, forward passing is illegal. This entails that the ball must be passed sideways or backwards by hand. This is done with the goal of encouraging running, support play, and tactical kicking. 

Play will only stop for infringements such as knock-ons, offside positions, or dangerous tackles, with penalties or scrums used to restart the game. Tackling is only allowed below the shoulders, and once tackled, players must release the ball, allowing a fair contest known as the ruck.

While there are many aspects of Rugby, it is simple to follow the flow of the game and be aware of what is happening on the pitch. 

At the end of the championship, various awards are given out. A grand slam is granted to a team if they are able to defeat all the five opponents they face. The triple crown, which is only applicable to England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, gets awarded if one country is able to defeat all of the aforementioned three. The notorious wooden spoon is given to a team if they manage to lose all five of the matches they play. 

While it is not widely known amongst Americans, you will feel like a full European cheering on your favorite team in this tournament. The Six Nations Rugby Championship is truly one of the most exciting events to witness and experience while in Rome.