| The Six Nations rugby tournament has been in | | | | team for many years to come. However, this did |
| force since Italy joined the competition in 2000, | | | | not happen and once again England were forced |
| before which it was known as the Five Nations. | | | | to wait another 11 years before grabbing their |
| Since becoming the Six Nations, England have won | | | | next Grand Slam Championship in 1991 under the |
| the competition three times; in 2000, 2001 and in | | | | tutelage of Geoff Cooke, who guided them to a |
| 2003, when they won their last of 12 Grand | | | | second successive Grand Slam the following year. |
| Slams. | | | | Former Bath Coach, Jack Rowell took over the |
| The Six Nations originally started out as the Home | | | | coaching mantel after Cooke left and he met with |
| Nations Championship back 1883 and was won by | | | | immediate success, winning the Grand Slam in his |
| England for the first two years, but they only | | | | first season of 1995. Rowell followed that up with |
| managed one more outright win before the | | | | a Triple Crown success the following year, but left |
| Championship became the Five Nations in 1910 | | | | his post after a poor World cup campaign. |
| with the inclusion of France. This original version of | | | | His departure meant the arrival of Sir Clive |
| the Five Nations ended in 1932, during which time | | | | Woodward, who stayed at the helm until 2004, |
| England became by far and away the dominant | | | | winning three Championships including the Grand |
| team, winning the Championship no fewer than | | | | Slam of 2003. Woodward of course also guided |
| eight times with six Grand Slams. It should be | | | | England to World Cup glory in Australia in 2003. |
| noted that it was not competed for during | | | | By this time the Tournament was established as |
| 1915-19 due to the Great War. | | | | the Six Nations but that Grand Slam success in |
| In 1932 the Championship reverted back to the | | | | 2003 was England's last Championship win, where |
| Home Nations format and stayed that way until | | | | they have had to watch France take over once |
| 1939, with England winning outright twice and | | | | again, winning in 2004, 2006 and 2007. Wales and |
| sharing it twice. The Second World war ended | | | | Ireland have subsequently gone on to gain Grand |
| proceedings until 1947, when the Tournament | | | | Slam victories over the last two years. |
| returned in its Five Nations format once again. It | | | | In total, England hold the record of 12 Grand |
| has stayed that way until Italy joined in 2000 | | | | Slams since 1883, but in the Six Nations alone, |
| making it the Six Nations. | | | | they have won just the once, in three |
| During the period 1946 until 1999, England won | | | | Championship wins. France have four wins, |
| nine times with five Grand Slams, but it was | | | | including two Grand Slams, while Wales have won |
| France who began to emerge as the dominant | | | | twice with two Grand Slams and now Ireland |
| force overall, although they had give way to the | | | | have got themselves on the scoreboard with their |
| mighty Welsh team of the 70s. England during | | | | 2009 Grand Slam success. |
| that time failed to compete at the top and had a | | | | The 2010 Grand Slam promises to be one of the |
| very long wait from 1963 until 1980 before lifting | | | | closest on record with any of the top five sides |
| the Trophy once again. The 1980 team, led by | | | | likely to win. France are favourites, followed |
| the Bill Beaumont won the Grand Slam that year | | | | closely behind by Wales and Ireland with England |
| and many felt that they would remain the top | | | | rated only 4th in the betting to win. |