The Six Nations trophy is being retired after it was damaged in an accidental fire while being transported in Ireland.
While no passengers were injured during the blaze, which occurred in a transit van heading to Dublin from Limerick, the cup can no longer be restored ‘to its full presentation standard’.
‘In keeping with these presentation standards, respect for the significance of winning the Six Nations – one of sport’s most prestigious titles – and to preserve the integrity of the trophy and its heritage, it will be retired from ceremonial use,’ the tournament announced in a statement.
Crafted in 2015 to signify the addition of Italy to the Six Nations, the trophy stands at 75cm tall and is made from ‘precious silver’.
An identical replacement will be used for the rest of this year’s tournament, which runs until March 14.
In the meantime, craftsmen will get to work on a new trophy, which will take approximately 365 hours to create before being unveiled ahead of next year’s championship.
The Six Nations trophy will be retired and replaced after it was damaged in an accidental fire
The cup can no longer be restored ‘to its full presentation standard’ after the blaze in Ireland
‘(The new trophy) will be commissioned in the same design as the original, with materials from the original being incorporated into the new trophy, ensuring its history is respectfully transferred to the new creation,’ the statement continued.
The trophy replaced the original 1993 edition, which was eventually retired because it represented the nations that took part in the Five Nations Championship before 2000.
England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France and Italy – the latest team to join – have their crests engraved on the six-plinthed trophy alongside the year they joined the Six Nations.
This year’s tournament will continue on Friday when Ireland play Wales, before Scotland face France on Saturday and England go up against Italy on Sunday.
The final matches will be played the following weekend, with France currently top of the table having won three from as many games.
