Italy joined the Six Nations in the year 2000, when the old Five Nations expanded to include them and became the Six Nations Championship.

Key facts

  • Year of entry : Italy were officially added to the championship in 2000, transforming it from the Five Nations to the Six Nations.
  • First tournament as a Six Nations: the 2000 edition is recognized as their debut in the expanded competition.
  • Opening statement win: in that first Six Nations match, Italy beat reigning champions Scotland 34–20 in Rome.

Quick context

Italy’s inclusion followed strong performances in the 1990s and a push to expand the traditional northern-hemisphere tournament beyond the original five European nations. Since then, the 2000 season has been marked as the start of the modern Six Nations era with Italy as the sixth team.

TL;DR: Italy joined Six Nations rugby in 2000, turning the old Five Nations into the Six Nations; their very first Six Nations game was a famous 34–20 win over Scotland in Rome.