Former England and British & Irish Lions winger Ugo Monye has thrown his weight behind the Six Nations, declaring it the top dog of annual rugby competitions, despite a particularly spicy 2025 Rugby Championship season. This year’s southern hemisphere showdown had fans on the edge of their seats with the Springboks demolishing the All Blacks 43-10 in Wellington and the Wallabies pulling off a jaw-dropping win against the Springboks at Ellis Park. Even Argentina got in on the action, securing their first home turf win against the All Blacks. With two rounds to go, the title is anyone's game.
Monye, however, remains unswayed by the southern spectacle, maintaining his allegiance to the charm of the northern hemisphere's tournament.
"I’ve heard people say this is the best Rugby Championship ever. But do I think it’s now better than the Six Nations? I don’t think it is,"
he stated, firmly planting his flag in the Six Nations camp.
While acknowledging the dramatic flair of the Rugby Championship, Monye pointed out its predictability compared to the Six Nations. "To my mind, we’ve only seen one unpredictable result, Australia beating South Africa in Johannesburg. Yes, Argentina beat New Zealand, but they've done that before. Everything else has kind of gone to script," he argued.
He further emphasized the depth of the Six Nations, suggesting that managing more teams adds complexity and richness to the competition. "The Rugby Championship is really competitive, but it’s easier with four nations. The Six Nations has pedigree, not just on the pitch but through the stories, the fans, and the culture that comes with it," Monye added.
Despite his northern bias, Monye tipped his hat to a southern star when asked about the world's top winger.
"Cheslin Kolbe, hands down,"
he praised, highlighting the Springbok's stellar performances in this year's Rugby Championship. Clearly, when it comes to recognizing talent, geographical boundaries don't cloud Monye's vision.
The debate between the superiority of the Rugby Championship and the Six Nations is likely to rage on, but for now, Monye's heart remains in the frostier climes of the Six Nations, where history, drama, and unpredictability blend into the rich tapestry of rugby lore.
Teams mentioned: Springboks, All Blacks, Wallabies, Argentina.
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Former England and British & Irish Lions winger Ugo Monye has thrown his weight behind the Six Nations, declaring it the top dog of annual rugby competitions, despite a particularly spicy 2025 Rugby Championship season. This year’s southern hemisphere showdown had fans on the edge of their seats with the Springboks demolishing the All Blacks 43-10 in Wellington and the Wallabies pulling off a jaw-dropping win against the Springboks at Ellis Park. Even Argentina got in on the action, securing their first home turf win against the All Blacks. With two rounds to go, the title is anyone's game.
Monye, however, remains unswayed by the southern spectacle, maintaining his allegiance to the charm of the northern hemisphere's tournament.
"I’ve heard people say this is the best Rugby Championship ever. But do I think it’s now better than the Six Nations? I don’t think it is,"
he stated, firmly planting his flag in the Six Nations camp.While acknowledging the dramatic flair of the Rugby Championship, Monye pointed out its predictability compared to the Six Nations. "To my mind, we’ve only seen one unpredictable result, Australia beating South Africa in Johannesburg. Yes, Argentina beat New Zealand, but they've done that before. Everything else has kind of gone to script," he argued.
He further emphasized the depth of the Six Nations, suggesting that managing more teams adds complexity and richness to the competition. "The Rugby Championship is really competitive, but it’s easier with four nations. The Six Nations has pedigree, not just on the pitch but through the stories, the fans, and the culture that comes with it," Monye added.
Despite his northern bias, Monye tipped his hat to a southern star when asked about the world's top winger.
"Cheslin Kolbe, hands down,"
he praised, highlighting the Springbok's stellar performances in this year's Rugby Championship. Clearly, when it comes to recognizing talent, geographical boundaries don't cloud Monye's vision.The debate between the superiority of the Rugby Championship and the Six Nations is likely to rage on, but for now, Monye's heart remains in the frostier climes of the Six Nations, where history, drama, and unpredictability blend into the rich tapestry of rugby lore.
Teams mentioned: Springboks, All Blacks, Wallabies, Argentina.