LIST: Five Biggest Six Nations Upsets in History

With Italy taking on France in their opening game of the 2023 Six Nations this Sunday, they have the unprecedented chance to record back-to-back Six Nations victories.

A tall order, given the fact that France are considered one of the two favourites along with Ireland for this year's trophy, but it is never a result to rule out, as history shows.

So, ahead of the David vs Goliath clash in Rome this weekend, here are five biggest Six Nations upsets.

The match which ended Italy's seven year wait for a Six Nations win, and started the sand timer for Wayne Pivac's position as Wales Head Coach.

The hotly contested match in Cardiff was looking to be heading for a Wales win, on the final weekend in last year's Championship. With two minutes left to play, Wales led 21-15, thanks to earlier tries from Owen Watkin, Dewi Lake and Josh Adams.

Then a lightning bolt of blue struck the Principality Stadium, in the form of Ange Capuozzo. Receiving the ball within his own 22m, the fullback put his head down, and made Italian rugby history. The then 22-year-old skipped passed the tackle attempts of Josh Adams and Jonny McNicholl, before playing in Edoardo Padovani to score a memorable try for the "Azzurri".

With the final kick of the game, Paolo Garbisi slotted the following conversion from in front of the posts, and Italy recorded their first win in 36 Six Nations matches. The losing streak was over, and Wales hung their heads. All eyes turned to Pivac, who would be ousted from his post after a woeful Autumn International series.

Scotland ended the 38 year wait to win at Twickenham Stadium, in a Six Nations opener that stunned England. The crowd fell silent, but not due to the result. The Covid-19 pandemic had enforced the match be played in an empty stadium, with the supporters watching on from home. England and Scotland battled to a 6-5 halftime stalemate, with the uninspired playing styles a result of the lack of fan noise in the stadium.

Duhan van der Merwe's try was the only score of the first half, and as reigning Six Nations Champions, England were expected to come out firing for a second half victory. However, it was not to be, as the persistent defensive structure of Scotland was too well drilled for England.

Scotland embraced the grey February elements, and played a game which suited their style, as the rain fell relentlessly. England rushed and made too many unforced errors, handing the game to their Northern rivals. Finn Russell slotted with two penalties from the tee. This kicked enough daylight between the two sides, as the ball sailed into the empty stands at Twickenham.

A monumental Scottish victory, which instilled in them the confidence to beat England the following year at Murrayfield. Will we see a hat-trick for Scotland in Saturday's Calcutta Cup fixture?

What has proven to become Italy's lucky score line, the Azzurri pulled off a shock victory over France in 2011. Heading into Rome's Stadio Flaminio as expected favourites, France had secured victories over Scotland and Ireland on their way through to the match. Defeat to England set Les Blues off-course for their goal of retaining the Grand Slam, yet a dominant performance over Italy would get the camp back on track, for an expected title decider against Wales.

Italy struck first through the boot of Mirco Bergamasco, yet France responded strongly, as winger Vincent Clerc's try put the visitors in front after 14 minutes. Andrea Masi's second half try kept Italy in the fight, with the remaining match fizzling down to a place-kicking contest between Bergamasco and Morgan Parra.

The Italian left winger slotted five penalties, and established enough breathing space for a shock victory in Rome. Italian celebrations rang throughout the capital, with France rightfully devastated, as they failed their expectations of back-to-back Six Nations Championships. England went on to win that year's title, with France proving their strengths in the following Autumn's Rugby World Cup, as they reached the final and narrowly lost to the All Blacks.

In what was meant to be England's triumphant homecoming to Twickenham, after winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, Ireland upset the hosts with an inspired and driven performance. After putting 50 points on Italy in Rome, and scoring four tries North of the border, beating Scotland 13-35, England were favourites on their return home to the 'Fortress'.

The game started off to plan, as Matt Dawson scored a try before the half hour mark, and Paul Grayson's kicking established a healthy points tally. Yet Ronan O'Gara kept Ireland in the match, responding to each of Grayson's penalties with one of his own, ensuring Ireland remained in touching distance of the hosts.

Girvan Dempsey's try after 52 minutes pulled Ireland into the lead, which they were able to see out for the duration of the match. O'Gara kept kicking enough distance between Ireland and England, and ruined the World Champions' return home.

One of the biggest Six Nations upsets ever.

In Italy's debut match after being added to the Six Nations, there was little expectations on them to perform. Despite finishing bottom of the table that year, Italy started off with a win against the odds. Scotland entered the competition as the reigning holders of the Five Nations Championships, and had great expectation to regain the title that same year.

Yet Italy's unpredictability was their secret weapon. They effectively silenced the critics who didn't wish to add a sixth nation, with a try from Giampiero de Carli, and 29 points coming from the boot of Diego Dominguez. The fly half kicked six penalties, a conversion, and an impressive hat-trick of drop goals to keep Italy's points ticking over for a debut victory.

Deemed the ultimate underdogs, Italy were 250/1 odds to win the Championship. They had yet to demonstrate their skills on the biggest stage, with a 101-3 loss to the All Blacks at the 1999 Rugby World Cup highlighting the difference in quality. Yet Italy persevered on their Six Nations debut, and stretched into the lead as Kenny Logan missed four penalty attempts at goal. A milestone victory for Italy, who have made upset wins a highlight of their Six Nations tenure.

Remains arguably the biggest Six Nations upsets of all-time.