The Six Nations Championship trophy is set to be replaced after suffering irreparable fire damage during transportation last month, tournament organisers have confirmed.
The trophy was reportedly being transported by road from Limerick to Dublin following an event when the vehicle carrying it was involved in what officials described as an “incident”. While no one was injured, the championship silverware was damaged beyond repair.
In a statement, Six Nations Rugby said that “whilst in transit during round three of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, an incident occurred involving the vehicle carrying the championship trophy”. It added: “Thankfully no passengers were injured, however the trophy sustained fire damage, and following an assessment by the official trophy manufacturer, unfortunately it cannot be restored to its full presentation standard.”
The original trophy was crafted by London-based silversmiths Thomas Lyte, renowned for producing some of sport’s most iconic prizes, including the FA Cup trophy. The company will now create an exact replacement in time for next year’s tournament. Organisers have indicated that elements of the damaged trophy will be incorporated into the new version, preserving part of its history.
For the remainder of this year’s championship, an identical replica—typically reserved for exhibitions and promotional appearances, will be presented to the eventual winners. Officials stressed that this arrangement is common practice in major international competitions and that the prestige associated with lifting the Six Nations trophy remains unchanged.
The current design was introduced in 2015 to mark the tournament’s expansion to six competing nations. Standing 75cm tall and weighing 8kg, the trophy is made from sterling silver with gold plating. Since its introduction, Ireland have claimed the title four times, more than any other side, most recently in 2024.
Outside the championship window, the trophy traditionally tours schools, rugby clubs and community events to promote both the tournament and the sport.
In this year’s standings, Ireland sit third behind France and Scotland. They return to action on Friday evening at the Aviva Stadium, where they will host Wales as the competition enters a decisive stage.
