When it comes to international rugby union events, there are none more prestigious than the Six Nations. It pits Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, France, and Italy against one another, with the first four also being featured in the Home Nations Championship and the Five Nations Championship.
We discuss the success of Ireland in all iterations of the tournament now known as the Six Nations, while also looking at additional achievements such as Grand Slams and the Triple Crown. Here at BetVictor, you can find a comprehensive range of rugby odds and outright betting markets for these awards, too!
Ireland’s Wins in the Home Nations Championship
The Home Nation Championship, consisting of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales was the earliest iteration of the Six Nations. It was played until 1910, when the competition moved to the Five Nations, however, the Home Nations did make a brief return between 1932 and 1939, with Ireland finding a decent level of success in the competition.
Number of Home Nations Titles Won
Ireland secured the Home Nations title outright four times, showcasing their early dominance in the championship. They also shared the title 3 times, demonstrating a consistent performance even when not leading.
Ireland Home Nations Wins:
- 1894
- 1896
- 1899
- 1906 (Shared with Wales)
- 1932 (Shared with England and Wales)
- 1935
- 1939 (Shared with England and Wales)
Ireland’s Wins in the Five Nations Championship
In 1910, France would then enter the mix to create the Five Nations Championship until 1931, when the Home Nations would return from 1932 to 1939. After this, the Five Nations would resume in 1940, although the action was paused until 1947 due to World War 2.
France would be a dominant force in the Five Nations, however, Ireland would typically play them incredibly close in each encounter they had.
Number of Titles Won
Ireland has claimed the Five Nations Championship title outright six times. They have also shared the title five times, showing that their rugby team was still formidable and had no trouble competing with France.
Ireland Five Nations Wins:
- 1912 (Shared with England)
- 1926 (Shared with Scotland)
- 1927 (Shared with Scotland)
- 1948
- 1949
- 1951
- 1973 (Shared with England, Scotland, Wales, and France)
- 1982
- 1983 (Shared with France)
- 1985
Ireland’s Performance in the Six Nations Championship
Taking us into the modern era, Italy would then join the fray to make the Six Nations Championship in 2000. Naturally, this would make a Grand Slam even harder, despite Italy being the weakest side in the Six Nations, according to win percentages.
Total Titles Secured
Ireland has claimed the Six Nations Championship title six times, with their most recent victory coming in 2024. The team really started to build form in the mid-2010s, picking up 5 of their 6 triumphs from 2014 onwards.
Ireland Six Nations Wins:
- 2009
- 2014
- 2015
- 2018
- 2023
- 2024
How Many Grand Slams Have Ireland Won?
In the Six Nations, a Grand Slam is achieved when a team wins all 5 of their matches, with the same concept applying to the Five Nations (With 4 wins being required) and the Home Nations (With 3 wins being required).
Ireland’s national team achieved Grand Slam victories four times, in 1948, 2009, 2018, and 2023. They were also on track for another in 2024, however, they were denied by England in an incredibly tense game that they would lose 23 – 22, following a last-second drop goal by Marcus Smith.
The 2009 victory marked Ireland’s first Grand Slam in 61 years, showcasing that they were starting to pick up steam and assert themselves as a dominant force in the international rugby scene once again.
Triple Crown Achievements
A Triple Crown is an achievement that is available exclusively to England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland in the Six Nations. It’s awarded if a team manages to beat all three of the other Home Nations sides in the same Six Nations campaign.
Ireland has secured a total of 8 Triple Crowns in the Six Nations Championships, making them the most successful team in this particular area.
Notable Moments in Ireland’s Six Nations History
A majority of the standout moments in Ireland’s Six Nations history have come since the turn of the 21st century, showing that they’re currently a team that is constantly improving.
Ireland Return to Dominance
After securing a historic Grand Slam in 2009, Ireland continued their impressive performance in the Six Nations Championship by achieving consecutive titles in 2014 and 2015. Under the guidance of coach Joe Schmidt, Ireland displayed formidable prowess on the rugby field, clinching back-to-back victories and cementing their status as a dominant force in the championship.
Moreover, Schmidt’s coaching led Ireland to further success with a Grand Slam triumph in 2018, marking an extraordinary period of Irish rugby dominance.
Back-to-Back Titles in Recent Years
Following their titles in the 2010s, Ireland secured back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024. The 2023 Grand Slam marked a historic moment, celebrated at home for the first time. This winning streak highlighted Ireland’s dominance in the Six Nations, showcasing strong performances and unprecedented achievements.
Their 2024 victory further cemented this dominance, maintaining a consistent level of excellence. Ireland’s ability to deliver strong performances in consecutive years solidified their reputation, with many fans from around the world paying close attention to them at every international rugby union event.
How to Bet on the Six Nations Online with BetVictor
If you want to bet on the Six Nations online, here’s a quick guide that you can use to get started:
1. Sign in to your BetVictor account. Not registered with us already? Simply click on the green ‘Sign Up’ button in the top right corner and fill in the various fields that appear. From here, you can confirm your details and make a deposit to bet on the Six Nations online with real funds!
2. Head to the sports betting page.
3. Click on ‘Rugby Union’, then select ‘Competitions’ and ‘Six Nations’. This will bring up a list of all upcoming matches in the Six Nations Championship.
4. Select the game(s) you’d like to bet on.
5. Next, click your desired selection to add it to your bet slip.
6. The last step is to type in a stake size that matches your preferences and confirm the wager.
Here at BetVictor, we have a huge range of rugby union odds and betting markets to choose from, including full coverage of the Six Nations Championship. As soon as each game gets underway, you can also find it on the in-play betting page, allowing you to follow the action and odds in real time.
Before placing a bet, you can also check out the BetVictor offers page to see a variety of different bonuses. Many of these can be used across all sports betting markets, with promotions available for new and existing customers alike!
Frequently Asked Questions About Ireland at the Six Nations
Ireland have won the Six Nations a total of six times, with their first victory occurring in 2009.
In total, across all Championships that are now known as the Six Nations, Ireland has four Grand Slams. These were achieved in 1948, 2009, 2018, and 2023.
The best place to bet on the Six Nations online is right here at BetVictor. We have an extensive range of markets to choose from and comprehensive coverage of all matches that are played throughout the Six Nations tournament!
