Union Jack Wear

The Six Nations Rugby Tournament is one of the most prestigious events in the rugby world, held every year and is competed by six European countries- Ireland, England, France, Scotland, Wales and Italy. The event is the successor to the “Five Nations” and the “Home Nations Championship”, the first international rugby event in Europe. The “Royal Bank of Scotland” funds the contest and the winners are labelled as the “European Champions”.

The French are the reigning champions, having defeated England 12-10 last year at their home ground. The journey follows a simplistic format where every country plays the other once and the home field decision alternates every successive year.

Teams are awarded 2 points for a win, 1 in the event of a draw and no points are given for a loss. In the event of a team winning all its stipulated matches, it is said to have completed a “Grand Slam”. Whereas, if a team defeats all the other three home nations, it constitutes a “Triple Crown”. The English team has the honorary reputation of 12 Grand Slams to her name, followed by Wales(10), France(9), the Scotts(3) and Ireland(2). The English team even holds the record for maximum Triple Crowns, repeating the feat 23 times. Wales has done it 20 times, followed by the Scots and Ireland who have done it 10 times each. The team which lags at the bottom of the points table at the end of the competition is said to have won the “Wooden Spoon”. The first physical trophy for the clash was dished out in the year 2006 by its sponsors- the Royal Bank of Scotland. The 2011 instalment kicks off on 4th of this February.

The current champions France have a certain amount of pressure on them to repeat the feat they achieved last year. The opposition team’s coaches believe the French team will come out hard and will play brutally to retain the trophy. The English team, starting as favourites for the title, is relying heavily on their hooker Dylan Hartley to get them through the points table. Harley has lately been the centre of attention for some off-field aggression and the English fans can’t wait to see him in action. Meanwhile, flanker Tom Wood and James Hakell have bagged a position in the team at the last moment and will surely like to make it count.

The Welsh hopes for clinching the title were in for a blow when the super talented winger Leigh Halfpenny broke his ankle before the crucial encounter with England. Even the new player George North, who impressed all with his super display of technical skills, is out with a shoulder fracture and will be sorely missed. The youngster Morgan Stoddart has come in as a replacement and a lot of hope rides on his shoulders now. The Scottish team could very well turn out to be the dark horse in the upcoming tournament. They have been in good form lately and would like to put behind the last year’s disappointment when they started off a tad too slowly on the points table. Much of the responsibility lies on the experienced shoulders of Nathan Hines, one of the best players in the tourney. Having played in the second row for the most part of his career, it would be interesting to see how he copes with the foreign territory of blindside flanker. Italy is running high on the confidence front with the comeback of their inspirational skipper Sergio Parisse. Regarded by many as the game’s best captain in present times, he will be key in leading Italy to the ultimate glory along with Edoardo Gori and their coach Nick Mallet.

6 Nations Rugby Essentials

Italian Flag Bunting

French Flag Bunting

Scotland Beanie Hat

England St George Braces

Scotland Braces

Take a virtual wander through the online retail community and you’ll find items like Union Jack hand held flags , Union Jack bunting and Union Jack swimming trunks have received significant sales boosts. Union Jack hand held flags are naturally the preferred choice for those for those fortunate enough to attend the recent 2010 Commonwealth Games. Union Jack hand held flags and Union Jack bunting could be making appearances at private viewing parties too. However, it’s pretty sure no one’s been tacking up or waving any Union Jack swimming trunks . Odds are any increased sales can be traced straight to fan loyalty aimed at one Brit, diver, Tom Daley . Tom Daley has given British fans and London herself a lot to be proud of. With the 2012 Olympics a skip and a jump away, London 2012 is sure to continue to keep a close eye on him.

Birth of a Legend

Daly joined a select diving crew after being spotted diving at the ripe old age of seven.

Recognition in Britain

In 2003, still less than ten years old, Daley took significant victories at the National Novice Championships and the Southampton Invitational.

Worldwide Celebrity Status

2005 saw Tom Daley prevail at the Australian Elite Junior Nationals, while there at special invitation. A similar relaxation of the rules allowed him to compete and win at the 2007 Australian Youth Olympic Festival. Further successes garnered through The International Swimming Federation and through British Championships marked Daley’s record long before 2010 and Commonwealth Games glory. International appreciation for his youthful abilities escalated in 2008 with his appearance at the Olympics.

Tom Daly’s individual platform showing at the 2010 Commonwealth games placed him neatly above second placer, China’s Qui Bo, and catapulted him into World Diving history. However, for British diving fans that was only one of the Game’s many thrills. The same fans that stayed glued through Daly’s seemingly ill-timed breakup with diving partner, Aldridge, in the 2008 Olympics, were there to cheer him on when he and partner, Max Black, took gold in their synchronized event. Whatever the world’s bigger stage or London 2012 holds for this remarkable young man, it’s clear that Daley’s designation as a notable young ‘Sports Personality’ in 2007 by the BBC was relevant both then and now.