Talk:Triple Crown (rugby union)

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Prior to the new (2006) trophy donated by RBS, I recall a trophy carved from coal (and presumably treated in some way to prevent its erosion and soiling the hands of the dignitary charged with presenting it) being featured in the television preamble to a (then) 5 nations championship a few years ago. Was this just a short lived novelty, or was it regarded as a genuine tangible award to the victorious side? Kevin McE 12:38, 19 March 2006 (UTC)

I had never heard of this, but according to this pdf. There was a 'trophy' made out of coal but there is no suggestion that it was taken seriously.GordyB 10:13, 21 March 2006 (UTC)

Have to get a photo of it, there's one in the RBS Press Section but not very clear. Stabilo boss 13:37, 21 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] The Name Triple Crown

I think "Triple Crown" was attributed to James I/VI in Macbeth but am unsure.

James I / VI did have a 'Triple Crown' but whether the rugby union one is named after it is another matter. It is possible, but I think it is impossible to say where it derivates from. The above link I cited for the 'lump of coal' says that the term is first recorded in the Irish Times and nobody knows what they origin was. I don't think we'll get a better answer than that. The Triple Crown disambig page says for example that a Triple Crown is often awarded in sport for the winning of three things - this in my view is a possible origin of the name. Of course it is possible that other sports copied the title from rugby.GordyB 20:26, 21 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Grand Slam

So if either of the home nations win all of the games they'd win both the Triple Crown and the Grand Slam? --Howard the Duck 04:12, 19 March 2007 (UTC)

Yes, Wales did it in 2005.GordyB 09:39, 19 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Wooden spoon

Means finishing bottom not losing all games. If you read the article on the wooden spoon, it comes from Cambridge awarding a wooden spoon for the person getting the bottom mark in maths. In other sports competitions e.g. the NRL - the bottom team gets the wooden spoon.

This article here [1] descibes Scotland as winning the wooden spoon even though they beat Wales.

Losing all games is a 'whitewash'.GordyB 10:07, 19 March 2007 (UTC)