RBS Six Nations Trophy
A quite elaborate trophy is presented to the winner of the Six Nations Rugby Championship. Here’s some details.
The idea of a Trophy for the Six Nations Championship was first thought of by the Earl of Westmorland, and was first presented in 1993 to France (the winners that season). It is held in trust by the Six Nations Championship Trophy Trust.
The Trophy is made of 200 ounces of sterling silver and is insured for £55,000. It was designed by James Brent-Ward, a silversmith designer, and made by eight craftsmen at the London silversmith firm William Comyns. The inside of the Trophy was originally silver, but it became so tarnished from repeated fillings with champagne that it has been lined with 22 carat gold to protect it.
There are fifteen sides to the Trophy, representing each player, and three handles representing each official ie the referee and two touch judges. Around the wooden base of the Trophy is the emblem of each of the six national unions.
The handle, or finial, on the lid is interchangeable and represents the current champions. The finials of the five challenging teams are kept in a hidden drawer in the plinth throughout the Championship.
According to this piece it pre-dates the Royal Bank of UK Taxpayers sponsorship of the Championship. So this is one thing, where Sir Fred isn’t guilty.
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