2011 RBS 6 Nations Rugby

The 2010 RBS 6 Nations produced another Championship full of drama, excitement and a first French Grand Slam in six years.

Ireland headed into the tournament as defending champions having won their first Slam in 61 years in 2009 but their bid was derailed in the Stade de France in a 33-10 defeat.

Les Bleus also negotiated tricky trips to Murrayfield and the Millennium Stadium before demolishing Italy 46-20 to set up the Slam decider against England who had blown hot and cold over the course of the tournament.

Martin Johnson’s men produced arguably their best performance of the campaign and scored the only try of the game through full-back Ben Foden but it was not enough to prevent a 12-10 defeat and French celebrations.

Wales meanwhile were involved in some of the games of the tournament - in particular their incredible 31-24 victory over Scotland.

Warren Gatland’s side were trailing 24-17 going into the final minutes only for tries from Leigh Halfpenny and Shane Williams to seal a memorable comeback.

The match was overshadowed by a horrendous neck injury to Scotland back Thom Evans who fortunately made a full recovery.

After their agonising defeat to Wales, Scotland also suffered a 16-12 defeat to Italy in Rome before snatching a 15-15 draw in the Calcutta Cup clash with England.

But they saved their best performance for last in the final Six Nations match to be played at Croke Park.

Fly-half Dan Parks kicked 18 points as Scotland bagged their first win of the Championship in their 23-20 victory to deny Ireland both the triple crown and a perfect send-off to the Gaelic Athletics Association stadium before their return to the refurbished Landsdowne Road. They had to make do with a second-place finish.

That victory lifted Scotland to fifth in the table giving Italy the wooden spoon. The Azzurri impressed on home soil in both their defeat of Scotland and their battling 17-12 loss to England – both of which were achieved without injured talisman Sergio Parisse.

Ireland winger Tommy Bowe won the 2010 RBS Player of the Championship award for his three tries while over one million people attended the matches.

What will 2011 bring, tune in and find out. Come on Ireland.