Most supporters of the game will remember 1990 and 1995 when Wales failed to win a match, but few may recall that in 1937, Wales lost to England, Scotland and Ireland, but France were not competing from 1932 until 1948.
So, who has ‘won’ the WOODEN SPOON !!
In Championship matches from 1910-1992, the following were clear bottom on points gained (* indicates a whitewash): –
1910 – *France; 1911 – *Scotland; 1912 – *France; 1913 – *France; 1914 – Tie; 1920 – *Ireland; 1921 – Tie; 1922 – Tie; 1923 – Tie; 1924 – Tie; 1925 – *France; 1926 – *France; 1927 – tie; 1928 – tie; 1929 – *France; 1930 – Scotland; 1931 – England; (France did not compete 1932-1939) 1932 – *Scotland; 1933 – Tie; 1934 – *Ireland; 1935 – Scotland; 1936 – *Scotland; 1937 – *WALES; 1938 – *Ireland; 1939 – *Scotland; 1947 – *Scotland; 1948 – England; 1949 – WALES; 1950 – England; 1951 -Tie; 1952 – *Scotland; 1953 – *Scotland; 1954 – *Scotland; 1955 – Ireland; 1956 – Scotland; 1957 – *France; 1958 – Ireland;
1959 – Scotland; 1960 – *Ireland; 1961 – Ireland; 1962 – Ireland; 1963 – WALES; 1964 – Ireland; 1965 – Scotland; 1966 – England; 1967 – WALES; 1968 – *Scotland; 1969 – France; 1970 – Tie; 1971 – Scotland; 1972 – *England; 1973 – Tie (by all 5 nations); 1974 – England; 1975 – England; 1976 – *England; 1977 – *Ireland; 1978 – *Scotland; 1979 – Scotland; 1980 – Tie; 1981 – *Ireland; 1982 – Tie; 1983 – England; 1984 *Ireland; 1985 *Scotland; 1986 *Ireland; 1987 England; 1988 Ireland; 1989 Tie; 1990 *WALES; 1991 Tie; 1992 *Ireland.
Ponits difference was then introduced in 1993.
1993 WALES; 1994 Scotland; 1995 *WALES; 1996 Ireland; 1997 Ireland; 1998 *Ireland; 1999 France.
Five-Nations became Six-Nations when Italy was added in 2000.
2000 Italy; 2001 *Italy; 2002 *Italy.
The longest run of defeats were:-
France 17 (1911-20); Scotland 15 (1951-55); France 14 (1924-27); Italy 14 (2000-02).
