Top most shocking moments in Six Nations history (Ranked 5-1)

From unforgettable brilliance to outright chaos, the championship has delivered scenes that were memorable, bizarre and utterly shocking at the time. Here are the most jaw-dropping in tournament history you won't forget.

Few moments in Six Nations history have caused as much confusion – or amusement – as this one.

When Italy visited Twickenham in 2017, they unveiled a tactic nobody had ever really seen before. Instead of committing players to the breakdown, they simply stood off the ruck. By doing that, they avoided creating an offside line, meaning their defenders could legally position themselves wherever they liked.

England were completely thrown. Their attacking structure relied on the usual breakdown laws, and without an offside line to work against, they struggled to understand how to play.

The situation reached its peak when James Haskell and Dylan Hartley stopped play to ask referee Romain Poite to explain exactly what was and wasn’t legal. The baffled exchange quickly became one of the most memorable ref moments the tournament has ever produced.

This one still divides opinion among England and Wales supporters.

It took place at Twickenham in March 2020 during a chaotic in-goal scuffle. In a moment that stunned everyone watching, Joe Marler crossed a line when he grabbed Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones in an inappropriate and shocking way.

Online reaction was immediate, with social media exploding in disbelief and dark humour. Jones himself, however, was unimpressed and later criticised Marler publicly. The disciplinary outcome was severe, with Marler receiving a 10-week suspension.

Every Grand Slam run needs a turning point. For Ireland in 2018, this was it. Wales had previously used dramatic opening-round comebacks in 2008 and 2019 to launch their own Slam campaigns. Ireland found their defining moment in Paris.

Late in the match against France, with the scores tight and the pressure immense, Ireland took possession deep in their own half and began a patient march upfield. The plan was simple: either draw a penalty or work the ball into range for Johnny Sexton. France knew what was coming. A turnover, a knock-on, or a penalty would end it. But Ireland refused to blink.

Carry after carry, the forwards edged forward – Toner, Henderson, McGrath and Stander repeatedly hammering into the blue wall. Even when a cross-field kick to Keith Earls failed, Ireland calmly reset and went again. As the clock ran beyond 80 minutes, they finally reached the edge of drop-goal territory. One last surge from Stander created the space. Murray fed Sexton just inside the French half. The strike was clean, the flight perfect.

The ball sailed through the posts, the stadium fell silent, and Ireland’s Grand Slam challenge was suddenly very real.

The 2003 England side arrived in Dublin with history in their sights. One more victory would secure the Grand Slam. Ireland, just as determined, stood between them and the title.

Before kick-off, both teams lined up for the traditional pre-match greeting with Irish President Mary McAleese. But England captain Martin Johnson led his players out on the wrong side of the ceremonial red carpet. When officials asked him to move, Johnson refused.

What followed was an awkward, tense exchange that perfectly reflected the mindset of that England team – unbending, confrontational, and utterly focused on winning.

Not every big collision in the Six Nations comes from the players.

Ahead of England’s 2022 match with Ireland at Twickenham, a supporter dressed in full England kit somehow made it onto the field. As both teams lined up for the national anthems, he ran toward the players and briefly joined the line before security reacted instantly.

The fan was met with a brutal spear tackle that flattened him on the turf before he was swiftly escorted away. He appeared shaken and struggled to get back to his feet, though stewards helped him from the pitch.

It was a surreal opening to the match – and one more reminder that, in the Six Nations, even the moments before kick-off can become unforgettable.