Don’t know the difference between a ruck and a maul? Wondering why there’s a hooker on the pitch? Not got the foggiest about the Wooden Spoon? My guide to the Six Nations will bring you up to speed in a country that’s rugby-mad…
Welsh fans celebrating their team's 2008 Grand Slam
It’s that time of year again. The city centre is full of red-faced, red-shirted revellers drinking in the street. Every other person seems to be sporting face-paint and a fetching ‘fro. And you can’t escape the post-match analysis wherever you go. The Six Nations is upon us again.
I live in the Welsh capital, Cardiff. It can be a lonely place to live if you’re not a rugger fan. Match days mean fun for your friends. Meanwhile you’re on your own watching the Corrie omnibus while a dustbowl rolls down your street. So here’s all the information you need to disguise yourself as the ultimate rugby groupie. Stand proud, my friend, and be prepared to imbibe some serious knowledge….
The perfect opportunity to show off your new fangled knowledge will be at Wales’s first home match – against England on Valentines Day. Held at the Millennium Stadium, 74,500 fans will attend the match, filling the capacity of the ground. Fans will consume more than eight million pints of beer and lager and nearly five million units of spirits during the whole tournament. All of which means if your disguise unravels, the chances are everyone will be too sozzled to notice.
The History Bit
The origins of the game are unclear. Some say it started in 1823 when William Webb Ellis, a pupil at Rugby school, picked up the ball in a football game and ran. Played in public schools across England, it became a sport associated with toffs.
The “Nations” started in 1871 with just England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It took over 20 years for Wales to win their first title in 1893. Better late than never, hey boys?
Wales went on to win a handful of times but it was in the 70s, when everyone else was busy with sex, drugs and rock’n’roll that the Welsh golden age really began. Wales took home three Grand Slams and two Triple Crowns during the decade. In 2000, Italy became the sixth nation to join the competition.
Since then, it’s been hit and miss. But Wales took home the Grand Slam last year and in 2005, and they’re going into this year’s competition as the favourites.
The Six Nations Glossary of all things rugby
Grand Slam – Awarded to the team who beats everyone else.
Knock on – Knocking or dropping the ball forward while attempting to catch it.
Maul – Used to try and gain ground when the ball is being held. Three or more players will bind together and push forward. Ends if the ball touches the floor or a scrum is ordered or the ball emerges from the maul.
Ruck – Used to try and gain ground when the ball is on the ground. Three or more players will bind together and push forward. Ends if the ball leaves the ruck or a scrum is ordered.
Scrum – Used to restart play after a knock-on, or at any time when ordered by the referee. Ends when the ball is out of the tunnel and in possession of a player on either team.
Touch – The ball is said to be in touch when it contacts or crosses a touchline, or when the player carrying the ball touches or goes over the touchline.
Triple Crown – Awarded to the Home Nation who beats the other three. (Italy and France are excluded.)
Try – Worth five points when the ball is touched down over the tryline. The team then gets a conversion kick between the goalposts, which is worth two points if successful.
Wooden Spoon – Awarded to the team who comes last.
Check out the BBC for more rugby rules.
Pics courtesy of flickr user LeKizz
