- Ask Steven
The much-coveted Triple Crown
John GriffithsFebruary 28, 2014
Who has won the most Triple Crowns? David Peters, England
Before France joined the Championship in 1910, the Triple Crown was the Holy Grail of the annual Home Unions Championship.
England were the first side to achieve a trio of victories over the other Home Unions, in 1883, though the expression, which was an invention of the press, did not become an everyday phrase until the 1890s.
England have won the prize most often and will be aiming for their 24th Triple Crown when they meet Wales at Twickenham on March 9.
The full roll of honour reads as follows:
England (23 wins): 1883, 1884, 1892, 1913, 1914, 1921, 1923, 1924, 1928, 1934, 1937, 1954, 1957, 1960, 1980, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003.
Wales (20 wins): 1893, 1900, 1902, 1905, 1908, 1909, 1911, 1950, 1952, 1965, 1969, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1988, 2005, 2008, 2012
Scotland (10 wins): 1891, 1895, 1901, 1903, 1907, 1925, 1933, 1938, 1984, 1990.
Ireland (10 wins): 1894, 1899, 1948, 1949, 1982, 1985, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009.
Only Wales (1976 to 1979) and England (1995 to 1998) have won Triple Crowns in four consecutive seasons.
John Griffiths is a widely respected rugby historian and is the author of several sports books, a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and co-author of the IRB International Rugby Yearbook. He has provided insight for Scrum.com since 1999.
