Into the Colosseum the Six Nations captains strode, their pre-tournament pleasantries and plush pictures given extra allure by a backdrop of Roman ruin. Gone are the days of stuffy stiff-collared shirts at private members’ clubs in west London, giving way to a more appropriate setting for these modern-day gladiators. Swords drawn, shields up – let battle begin.
The launch of the tournament in the Eternal City came as a nod to the 25 years since the Azzurri’s arrival meant Five became Six and this championship became an even larger commercial behemoth. In that time, this grand old beast has swelled in size and stature, an almost irreproachable tournament of such riches and rewards that heralds the change of seasons and muscles in on an increasingly monopolised sporting discourse. This sport faces a great many challenges but this marvellous tournament is not one of them; let us revel in its enduring excellence.
