England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy will be battling it out for the coveted silverware between February 2 and March 16. Before the competition kicks off for another year, why not feast your eyes on some sports-playing stars from across Wearside and the wider North East region.
From an awards night at Ashbrooke to watching our local teams in action, get geared up for the first matches of the competition with our retro rugby pictures.
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1. Rugby memories
From left to right, Ashbrooke rugby players; Pearson, Atkinson and McKenzie. Pictured in September 1961. Photo: Sunderland Echo
2. In action
Back to 2010 as rugby clubs in Seaham (wearing red) and Segill (wearing black and red) face eachother in a match. Photo: Kevin Brady
3. Captain
Durham School rugby team, pictured with their captain Lewis Hall in 2010 before a tournament between the four oldest school rugby teams in the world. Photo: Peter Berry
4. Here we go
The sun was shining at the Tag Rugby Festival at Ashbrooke in October 2010. Members of the Sunderland under-7s team in action. Photo: Peter Berry