The Six Nations trophy is to be retired after a fire caused severe damage while it was being transported in Ireland, tournament organisers confirmed on Monday.
The silver trophy, standing 75cm tall and weighing seven kilograms, was crafted in 2015. An identical exhibition piece will be awarded to this year's champions, and a new trophy will be commissioned in the same design, incorporating materials from the original to preserve its history.
This is not the first time a rugby trophy has been damaged. In 1988, Scotland's John Jeffrey and England's Dean Richards played football with the Calcutta Cup on an Edinburgh street, causing significant dents to the 110-year-old trophy and receiving bans from the Scottish Rugby Football Union.
The incident occurred ahead of a pivotal weekend in this year's tournament. France, aiming for a Grand Slam, face Scotland on Saturday, while Ireland host Wales on Friday. England travel to Rome to face Italy on Sunday.
