Six Nations Rugby Drinking Games: The Guide to Boozy Matchday Fun

The Six Nations is upon us, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a drink in hand and a game on the screen. Whether you’re a die-hard rugby fan or just here for the pints, the Six Nations Rugby Drinking Game is your ticket to 80 minutes of boozy, banter-filled chaos.

We’ve compiled the best drinking game rules for 2025 Six Nations Championship, creative challenges, and pub-friendly versions to keep you entertained from kickoff to the final whistle. So grab your squad, pour yourself a pint, and let’s turn matchday into a legendary drinking session.

Disclaimer: Drink responsibly, know your limits, and have a water bottle handy. 

2025 Six Nations Drinking Game Rules 

Basic Rules for Beginners (Easy Mode) 

If you’re new to rugby drinking games (or just want to survive past halftime), stick to these classic rules:

• Take a sip whenever the referee blows the whistle (yes, you will regret this).
• Drink when a commentator says:
  • “World-class player.”
  • “That looked forward.”
  • “They need to go back to basics.”
• Down your drink if your team concedes a try in the first 10 minutes.
• Take two drinks every time there’s a TMO (Television Match Official) decision that takes over 2 minutes.

Advanced Rules for Hardcore Fans (Danger Zone) 

Want to step it up? Try these next-level rules (at your own risk):

• The Grand Slam Challenge – If your team is undefeated in the tournament, drink double every time they score.
• Rugby Position Roulette – Assign drinks based on positions:
  • Forwards (props & locks) = Pints 
  • Backs (wingers & scrum-halves) = Shots 
  • The Fly-Half = Wine (because they think they’re fancy) 
• Referee Rants – Drink every time the ref is booed, but finish your drink if a ref gets sarcastic with a player.
• Sin Bin Special – If a player gets a yellow card, take two drinks. If it’s a red card, finish your drink in silence as a mark of respect.

More Fun Six Nations Rugby Drinking Games

If you’re looking to take your Six Nations drinking game to the next level, it’s time to introduce some truly unhinged, chaotic, and borderline regrettable variations. These are designed for those who want to go beyond the standard sip-for-a-try rules and embrace the madness of rugby in its most booze-fueled form.

The Commentator Cliché Game 

Turn predictable rugby commentary into a drinking challenge!

• Take a sip when you hear:
  • “That was forward!”
  • “That’s a soft penalty.”
  • “This is a physical battle.”
• Take two drinks if they bring up the weather conditions more than twice.
• Finish your drink if someone on commentary calls a player a ‘future legend’ after one good play.

The Rivalry Edition 

This one’s for fans of the most heated Six Nations matchups.

• England vs. Wales: Drink every time someone mentions the phrase “historic rivalry.”
• France vs. Ireland: Take two drinks if a French player does something ridiculously flashy (no-look pass, chip kick, etc.).
• Scotland vs. Italy: Drink whenever someone calls Italy “brave” or “improving.”

The Pub Challenge 

For those watching at a bar, add some real-life interaction!

• If a stranger sings the national anthem out loud → Buy them a drink.
• If the bartender gets involved → Start a Credit Card Roulette game.
• If someone in the pub argues about a ref decision loudly → Free pass to take a drink.

The “Scrum Down, Drink Up” Challenge

Every scrum is an opportunity for both teams to reset—and for you to ruin your night.

• Before the game, assign everyone a scrum position (prop, hooker, lock, etc.).
• Every time a scrum is called, the front row (props and hookers) takes a drink.
• If the scrum collapses, the entire forward pack drinks.
• If the referee resets the scrum more than once, everyone downs half their drink in frustration.
• If a scrum leads to a penalty, the last person to react takes two drinks.

This game mirrors real-life scrums—messy, exhausting, and leaving everyone questioning their decisions.

The “French Flair” Challenge

Rugby is unpredictable, but French rugby takes it to another level. This rule applies whenever you’re watching France play.

• Take a sip whenever a French player does something utterly outrageous—a no-look pass, a chip over the defense, an offload that defies physics.
• If the move actually works, take another drink in admiration.
• If it completely backfires, finish your drink out of pure respect for their boldness.
• If a commentator uses the phrase “French flair”, everyone takes two drinks.

Prepare yourself. This one gets messy fast.

The “High Ball Horror Show” Rule

Anytime a player completely botches a high ball, it’s time to drink.

• If a player drops a high kick, take a sip.
• If they completely misjudge it and it bounces off their face, take two drinks.
• If they call for it confidently and then still mess it up, finish your drink.
• If they take the catch but get absolutely demolished by a tackler, everyone watching stands up and drinks in solidarity.

Watching someone panic under a high ball has never been so entertaining.

The “Coach Cam Chaos” Rule

Whenever the camera cuts to a coach losing his mind, it’s time to drink.

• If the coach is simply yelling, take a sip.
• If he’s shaking his head in disbelief, take a big gulp.
• If he throws his hands up in frustration, take two drinks.
• If he slams something down (a water bottle, headset, clipboard, etc.), everyone finishes their drink.

This one is particularly dangerous if you’re watching England or Scotland, where sideline meltdowns are a frequent occurrence.

The “Referee Respect” Game

Rugby prides itself on respect for referees—but let’s be honest, no one is actually happy with their decisions.

• Every time the captain argues with the ref, take a sip.
• If the referee explains a decision in a long-winded, overly technical way, take two drinks.
• If the ref completely ignores a blatant infringement, finish your drink while muttering insults under your breath.
• If the ref gets sarcastic with a player (e.g., “I’ve already told you twice!”), everyone stands up and takes two drinks in appreciation.

This game is a tribute to the brave souls in charge of keeping 30 angry players under control.

The “Sin Bin Sympathy” Rule

Whenever a player gets sent to the sin bin (yellow card), you join them in drinking exile.

• If a player gets a yellow card, the last person to react must leave the room and down a drink before returning.
• If it’s a professional foul, take two drinks in honor of their “tactical genius.”
• If it’s for something completely reckless and stupid, everyone drinks while pointing and laughing.
• If a red card is given, everyone finishes their drink in stunned silence.

This variation is great for mirroring the feeling of watching your team play a man down—frustrating, slightly chaotic, and a terrible decision.

The “Welsh Choir Warm-Up” Rule

This one applies during any Wales match, where singing is an unofficial sport of its own.

• Before kickoff, if the crowd belts out the national anthem louder than the stadium PA, everyone takes a drink in appreciation.
• If the cameras show a fan crying during the anthem, take two drinks.
• If a commentator calls the atmosphere “electric”, everyone drinks.
• If the Welsh team scores a try immediately after the anthem, finish your drink because it’s game on.

You might not have the vocal cords of a Welsh choir, but you’ll certainly have the same level of enthusiasm.

The “Italian Job” Rule

Italy is known for their underdog spirit in the Six Nations, and this rule celebrates their never-give-up attitude.

• If Italy scores first, everyone drinks in excitement.
• If they are leading at halftime, everyone takes two drinks out of pure disbelief.
• If a commentator says something along the lines of “Italy are improving”, take a sip.
• If they actually win the game, finish your entire drink and celebrate like you’ve just witnessed a rugby miracle.

This variation is great for adding an extra emotional rollercoaster to any match involving the Azzurri.

Essentials for the Ultimate Rugby Drinking Game

Since the Six Nations is all about national pride, why not match your drinks to the teams?

1. Drink Pairings for Each Team

• England – A pint of bitter or a classic London ale (or just whatever lager’s cheapest).
• Ireland – Guinness, obviously. If you’re drinking anything else, you’re doing it wrong.
• Scotland – A good Scotch whisky for shots, but if you plan to survive, stick to Tennent’s lager.
• Wales – A hearty Welsh cider, or a bottle of Penderyn whisky if you’re feeling brave.
• France – Red wine? Champagne? Nope. Get a pint of Kronenbourg 1664 and pretend you’re sophisticated.
• Italy – Peroni for class, Sambuca for chaos. Choose wisely.

Beer, Spirits, or Cocktails?

• Beer: The standard choice. Perfect for casual sipping and beer-chugging forfeits.
• Whisky & Spirits: Ideal for hardcore drinking rules (but will end your night early).
• Cocktails: If you want to get fancy, try a “Rugby Tackle” shot (whisky, beer, and regret in a glass).

2. Snacks to Survive the Drinking Game

You’re going to be drinking a lot, so make sure you have something to keep you standing by halftime.

Best Snacks for a Rugby Drinking Game

• Chips and Dip – Because every drinking session needs something salty.
• Meat Pies & Sausage Rolls – Keep it traditional, especially if you’re supporting England.
• Chicken Wings – Messy, spicy, and a great way to distract from bad ref decisions.
• Cheese & Bread (For France & Italy Matches) – If you’re going to drink like a champion, eat like one too.
• Crisps & Peanuts – The pub classic. Essential if you want to pretend you’re not drunk yet.

3. Must-Have Drinking Accessories

Glassware & Essentials

• Beer Pitchers – Saves you from getting up every two minutes for a refill.
• Shot Glasses – Required for “Sin Bin Shots” and “TMO Decisions” rules.
• Rugby-Themed Mugs or Steins – Because beer tastes better when you’re drinking out of something ridiculous.

Fun Extras for the Party

• Drinking Helmets – Hydration is key (even if it’s beer).
• Referee Whistle – Someone gets too cocky? Blow the whistle and make them drink.
• Drinking Game Scoreboard – Keep track of who’s losing the drinking game, not just the match.

Safety Tips & Responsible Drinking for Rugby Games

We love a good time, but let’s keep it safe:

✅ Pace yourself – This is a 80-minute game, not a 10-minute sprint.
✅ Stay hydrated – Water is your best friend.
✅ Know your limits – If you start arguing with the ref through your TV, it’s time to slow down.
✅ Eat before you start – Beer + an empty stomach = bad life choices.
✅ Look after your mates – No one wants to babysit a passed-out prop forward.

There you have it – the ultimate Six Nations Rugby Drinking Game! Whether you’re playing it at home, at the pub, or at a mate’s house, these rules guarantee a hilarious, unforgettable matchday experience.

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