Saturday sees the kick-off of the Six Nations, the annual international rugby union centrepiece tournament which sees England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales battle to become champions of Europe.
Here below, we detail some of the key rugger records related to the tournament.
Most conversions in the Five/Six Nations
Championships
While England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson called time on his
international rugby union in 2011, his legendary career still looms
large over the Six Nations.
Wilkinson holds the most career conversions in the Five/Six Nations Championships with 89 from 43 matches between 4 April 1998 and 13 March 2011. Wilkinson's 89th conversion came in England's 22-16 win over Scotland at Twickenham, London.
Most Five/Six Nations Grand Slams
Pulling off the grand slam (beating all five other teams during
one year's competition) remains the ultimate achievement for Six
Nations rugby.
England currently top the charts here, having pulled off the feat 12 times - their most recent in 2003. However, Wales are very much on their tails, having pulled off the grand slam last year to bring up to a total of 11.
Most wins of the Five/Six Nations
Championships
Overall England have the most Home Nations, Five Nations, and Six
Nations tournament victories with 26 (excluding 10 shared
victories).
Most drop goals scored in the Five/Six Nations
Championships
As well as being the master of dead ball kicking, Wilkinson also
holds a record breaking tally for drop goals in the Six Nations,
notching up 11 for England between 4 April 1998 and 20 March
2010.
Most international Rugby Union caps won as
captain
While Irish legend Brian O'Driscoll has expressed his
disappointment at being overlooked for the captaincy in favour of
Jamie Heaslip for this year's campaign, the 34-year-old can
nevertheless lay claim to a record-breaking tally of 84 caps won as
skipper while playing for Ireland and the British and Irish Lions
from 2002 to 2012.
O'Driscoll surpassed the figure of 83 achieved by John Smit (South Africa) who played for the Springboks between 2003 and 2009, when Ireland were beaten 60-0 by New Zealand.
Largest margin of victory in a Five/Six Nations Rugby
Union match
England's 80-23 demolition of Italy at Twickenham Stadium , on 17
February 2001 remains the largest drubbing in Six Nations history.
The home team scored 10 tries and racked up 9 conversions along
with four penalties during the rout.
Most appearances as a player in the Five/Six Nations
Championships
Ireland's Ronan O'Gara thirteen-year international career has seen
him notch up a record-setting 61 appearances in Six Nations
matches, including 41 starts.
Highest attendance for a Five/Six Nations Rugby Union
Match
The biggest crowd for a championship match is the 104,000 fans who
witnessed the tense 12-10 Scotland victory over Wales at
Murrayfield, Edinburgh on 1 March 1975.
Most consecutive the Five/Six Nations Championship
wins
The record for longest run streak has stood since 1886, with
England registering ten successive victories. The feat was matched
once again by England in 1925.
Largest lead at half-time in a Five/Six Nations Rugby
Union match
Wales' imperious first 40 minutes display against Scotland at
Murryfield in 2005, which saw the away side go in at the break 38-3
up is yet to have been bettered. While the home side managed to
restore some pride by reducing the deficit, the game nevertheless
ended in a convincing 22-46 win for the Welsh.
