Six Nations 2023: When is the rugby union tournament? Who are the favourites?

Calling all rugby union fans, it's nearly time for this year's Six Nations Championship!

While the women's competition will take place in March and April, the men get underway this Saturday and it's set to be an exciting tournament!

France were crowned last year's champions, winning their first title and Grand Slam (meaning they won all their five matches) for 12 years.

However, no men's side has ever won back-to-back Grand Slams and with the world's top team - Ireland - in the mix along with new head coaches at both England and Wales, each squad will be hoping to prove themselves as the best nation in the competition.

But what else can we expect over the next few weeks?

Here's everything you need to know about this year's tournament!

Will you be watching the Six Nations? Who do you think will win? Let us know in the comments below!

What is the Six Nations tournament?

France were crowned Six Nations Champions in 2022

The Six Nations is one of the oldest tournaments in rugby, having been played in one form or another for more than 138 years.

It's the biggest rugby tournament in the northern hemisphere and takes place every year between the top rugby union-playing countries in Europe.

What was initially a men's international tournament featuring England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, has grown to include France and then Italy who were invited to take part in 2000.

The six countries that take part today are England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy.

The women's Six Nations competition is held separately and has been taking place since 1996.

What are the opening weekend fixtures?

Scotland are the current holders of the Calcutta Cup after beating England last year

Wales host Ireland in the opening match of this year's tournament at Cardiff's Principality Stadium which kicks off at 2.15pm

Later that afternoon, England take on Scotland at Twickenham in the Calcutta Cup at 4:45pm.

The Calcutta Cup is the oldest trophy in international rugby and is presented to the winner of the Six Nations England vs Scotland match.

It's a tradition that dates back to 1879, when the Cup was first contested between the two teams.

On Sunday, France begin their campaign to try and retain the trophy when they face Italy at 3pm at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Who are this year's favourites?

Ireland go into this year's tournament top of the World Rugby rankings

It's set to be a closely fought tournament but current Six Nations Champions France and Ireland - the world number one side - are looking like the two teams to beat!

However, Wales and England have both recently replaced their head coaches and will be wanting to impress.

England appointed Steve Borthwick last month and Warren Gatland has returned as Wales' new head coach.

Gatland is Wales' most successful and longest-serving coach, having won three Grand Slams during his previous 12-years in charge.

Italy won a match at last year's Six Nations for the first time since 2015 and will no doubt be wanting to improve on that performance this year.

Either way, all nations will be hoping to perform well with the next Rugby Union World Cup just around the corner, starting in September in France.

What is the Grand Slam?

Wales won the Six Nations in 2019 by completing the Grand Slam

If a team wins all five of its matches, it is called a Grand Slam, but to win a Grand Slam is very hard.

France and Wales won the Six Nations by completing the Grand Slam in 2022 and 2019 respectively, and England's women won the Grand Slam two years in a row in 2019 and 2020.

What is the Triple Crown?

Ireland secured the Triple Crown in 2022 but didn't win the Six Nations Championship

The Triple Crown is a special prize that only the four home unions - England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland - are able to win.

A team can only secure the Triple Crown if they beat all three of the other home sides.

Although it gives a team a great chance of overall success - winning the Triple Crown doesn't always mean you win the Six Nations.

In 2022 Ireland beat England, Wales and Scotland but didn't win the Six Nations tournament overall.

How is Rugby Union played?

Rugby Union is played by teams of 15 players, with each team made up of eight forwards and seven backs.

The players who are forwards are generally bigger and heavier, while the backs are faster and smaller.

The biggest competition in Union is the World Cup, played every four years, but the most famous one in Europe is the Six Nations Championship.

A match is split into two 40-minute halves and the aim of the game is to score more points than the other team through tries, conversions, penalty kicks and drop goals.

The main way is by scoring a try - carrying the ball over the opponent's goal-line, which scores 5 points.

A successful try is awarded with an additional conversion opportunity (which sees a team attempting to kick the ball over the other team's goal-posts) for two points.

If the referee awards a team a penalty they are allowed to kick for the posts for three points.

Finally, a player is allowed to attempt a drop-goal in play for three points.

One of the most important rules of the sport is that the ball can only be passed backwards.