In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Six Nations, SPORTbible teamed up with Greene King Sport to rank the six greatest moments in the competition's history.
The Six Nations kicks off on Friday when France take on Wales at the Stade de France in Paris, with fans able to catch each game of the competition at Greene King pubs across the country.
Ahead of the tournament, Greene King asked the SPORTbible audience to vote for their favourite moment of the past 25 years of Six Nations rugby.
After some 2,776 votes were counted, here’s what came out on top.
6. Wales 82nd minute win
In 2010, when Scotland entered the 74th minute of their Round 2 encounter with Wales leading 24-14, even the Tartan Army’s most pessimistic fan would have expected victory. What followed was one of the most stirring and dramatic come-backs in Six Nations history.
Six minutes from time Wales were handed a lifeline when Scott Lawson was sin-binned to reduce the visitors to 14 men. Three-minutes later the hosts took advantage, as Leigh Halfpenny sped clear to score and Stephen Jones subsequently converted to narrow the deficit to three points at 24-21.
Then, with a minute remaining, Phil Godman tripped Lee Byrne for a clear penalty in front of the posts that also saw him yellow-carded. Jones converted the penalty kick and the scores were level.
But Wales were not done. At the restart, Byrne gathered Jones’ spiralling kick. Just three phases later, Shane Williams ran between two tired defenders and dotted down underneath the posts for the most incredible 31-24 comeback victory.
5. England Breaking Welsh Hearts
Back in 2017, Elliot Daly scored a 76th minute try to snatch an unlikely victory in Cardiff and break Welsh hearts.
Liam Williams’ first-half try and 11 points from Leigh Halfpenny’s boot appeared to have sealed a home victory, with the Principality awash in celebration at the prospect of ending England’s 15-match unbeaten run.
But as Hymns and Arias rang around the stands, Owen Farrell spotted Daly outside him and the winger accelerated past the despairing Alex Cuthbert to keep their record-breaking streak alive.
4. O’Driscoll Hat-trick
On March 19th, 2000 a skinny, fresh-faced centre etched his name in Irish rugby folklore. Brian O’Driscoll scored a hat-trick at the Stade de France to help his Ireland side to their first victory over Les Bleus for the first time in 17 years.
O’Driscoll’s hat-trick had everything. The first featured a meaty Peter Clohessy drive in the build-up, while the second was marked by a seemingly telepathic set-piece strike move to free the then-21-year-old for the line. The third saw the youngster gather a loose ball and race clear under the sticks.
O’Driscoll’s life would never be the same again. Neither would Irish rugby.
3. O’Gara Grand Slam drop goal
When Ireland’s Ronan O’Gara converted a 77th minute drop kick against Wales in 2009, some 61 years of Grand Slam hurt evaporated in an instant.
That year, Ireland were on the cusp of their first Six Nations title since 1985 and first Grand Slam since the Forties. The only thing standing in their way were reigning champions Wales playing on their home Principality Stadium pitch.
Indeed, Ireland were dealt a scare. When Welsh fly-half Stephen Jones scored a try to give his side a 76th minute lead, Grand Slam hopes for Ireland’s ‘golden generation’ appeared in tatters.
But a minute later, O’Gara stepped up, took aim and kicked the ball between the posts, to see Ireland secure their first Six Nation since Italy’s introduction in 2000.
2. The Greatest Scotland Try ever?
With Scotland leading 7-5 in the 29th minute of their opening weekend encounter of 2023, against England at Twickenham, Kyle Steyn passed to Duhan Van Der Merwe, who set off to score one of the greatest tries in Six Nations history.
From inside his own half the South-African born winger scythed through the England defence, evading five tackles before touching down to silence the Twickenham faithful.
Gregor Townsend’s men went on to claim a thrilling 29-23 victory, with Van der Merwe bagging a second try late in the game.
1. Scotland Calcutta Cup comeback
Taking the top spot is perhaps the most remarkable match in England and Scotland’s 153-year rivalry.
Back in 2019, England scored their first try after 66 seconds, and raced into a 31-point lead within half-an-hour. But what followed was six unanswered Scotland tries that shocked an unsuspecting Twickenham.
Stuart McInally broke clear to score what appeared to be a consolation, only for Darcy Graham (twice), Magnus Bradbury and Finn Russell to also cross and level the scores at 31-31.
The second-half blitz appeared complete as Sam Johnson barreled over in the 76th minute, believing he had seen his side to a victory for the ages.
But in a final twist, England's George Ford made it 38-38 at the death to deny Scotland the greatest comeback in international rugby history and an end to what was then a 36-year Twickenham hoodoo.
To see the discussion from the three legends themselves, check out the full version below!
You can watch every single 2025 Six Nations game at a Greene King pub near you. To find out more visit the link here.
Thomas Thorn