If the Six Nations Teams Were "Game Of Thrones" Houses

series, where Sean Bean did a fine job of bringing us into deep appreciation for the small outfit who reigned from Winterfell before his beheading (spoiler alert).

Game of Thrones is a phenomenon much younger than rugby, but the rivalries, allegiances and heated feuds share some striking resemblances.

Using the relationships held between certain nations and houses, as well as their geographical location in Westeros—not to mention house ideologies and mottos—we've converted each into a house of their own.

The Lannisters are one of the most powerful houses in all of the Three Kingdoms. They are also one of the main story arcs in Game of Thrones, centralising around figures such as Cersei, Tyrion, Jaime, Joffrey, Tywin and others, each of whom boasts differing amounts of control from within their controversial setting.

England has assumed a position of power in the International game since being taken over by Aussie Eddie Jones in late 2015, winning back-to-back Six Nations before a poor performance in 2018. Their dominant manoeuvre in taking King's Landing as their own following the death of Robert Baratheon through his illegitimate son Joffrey has drawn the ire of many in Westeros, as has England's dominance in the Six Nations. Everyone always wants to beat the English.

The motto of the house is "Hear Me Roar," due to their sigil depicting a lion on guard, which is similar to the English football crest. However, a more unofficial motto exists in "A Lannister Always Pays His Debts," which is a correct slogan due to the RFU's high turnover. There also ruthless, sacking or killing people without a seconds thought.

In Game of Thrones fiction, the series sees House Baratheon split into three factions following the death of Robert Baratheon, which sounds as dramatic as a Les Bleus training camp.

They used to rule the Kingdom, similarly to France, who won half dozen Six Nations in eight years between 2002 and 2010, but now are a complete mess, similarly to House Baratheon in recent series.

They both limp on with France appointing a new boss while Robert's bastard Gendry keeping the houses slim chances of a revival next season alive.

A Great House very closely associated with the water and staying true to one's own traditions, House Greyjoy aren't the most welcoming of hosts. And Dublin, despite being a very welcoming, isn't the easiest place to travel, as many a Six Nations, outfit are aware—considering it's the only place England have lost in the last two years.

Ruling their patch, known as the Iron Islands off Westeros' West Coast, the Greyjoys live by the motto "We Do Not Sow," made in reference to their living off the water and their own means.

This stubborn mentality is what has made the core of their people strong, meaning they have no need for great riches or splendour to go about achieving their goals. Ringing any bells?

Martell's people aren't of the same appearance to others in Westeros, with a more olive complexion as opposed to some of the paler skins of the more northern territories. In other words, it gets hotter down there.

Their stoic motto reads: "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken.", which is similar to the Azzurri, who despite significant setbacks and losses down the years, always come back and compete for the thrown each and every season.

However, both have offered heavy losses in recent seasons.

Scotland was very much the flavour of the month at the start of 2017, earning the respect of the Six Nations masses and encouraging early talk of a possible triumph. However, they were knocked off their perch by a dominant England (House Lannister) when away from home at Twickenham (Kings Landing),

The same could be said for House Stark in the GoT

Despite their size, though, the Starks' relationship with other powers - recruiting players from foreign lands, led them to becoming powerful when fighting in their own territory, similar to Scotland. They are also both very NORTHERN.

Murrayfield has also become a difficult place to travel these days, and the Starks' wolf sigil, significant of an animal that copes better in a cohesive unit, also shares some similarities with Gregor Townsend's stratagem.

The Targaryens are a proud, sophisticated and noble people, who used to have the ruling of Westeros until they were ousted from power by Robert Baratheon.

Wales, too, have enjoyed long spells of time on the Six nations throne, winning back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013. but not for some time have the Welshman dominated in the same fashion.

Much like the Targaryens, Wales may come back to control domestic matters. With the use of Daenerys' dragons, in this case perhaps representative of several key squad members coming back from injury in the future, they could perhaps once again reign supreme.

The Wales flag also features a red dragon, making it even more coincidental that the Targaryen sigil depicts a three-headed red dragon.

The Targaryens' old stronghold in King's Landing was also referred to as the Red Keep.