While American rugby continues its explosive growth with APR leading the charge, European rugby’s crown jewel remains the Six Nations Championship – and France is absolutely owning it right now.
Les Bleus have captured an impressive eight Six Nations titles since Italy joined the tournament in 2000, including back-to-back championships in 2025 and 2026. That’s the kind of dynasty American rugby fans can appreciate, similar to the Patriots’ NFL dominance or the Warriors’ basketball reign.
For US rugby newcomers, think of the Six Nations as Europe’s version of March Madness – except it’s the world’s oldest international rugby tournament featuring England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales battling for continental supremacy each spring.
France’s recent dominance is particularly noteworthy for American rugby development. Many French players and coaches have been instrumental in growing the game stateside, bringing that championship pedigree to US clubs and programs. Their success overseas directly benefits American rugby through coaching exchanges, player development programs, and the international talent pipeline.
As APR continues building America’s premier professional rugby destination, studying Europe’s elite competition provides valuable insights into what makes championship rugby programs tick.
Original story via Rugby World. Read more