Thomas Lyte-made Trophies On Offer As Six Nations Draws To A Close

The Guinness Six Nations draws to a close this evening, with the fate of not one, but two trophies to be decided. 

France – having defeated Wales last weekend – can still win the tournament if they beat Scotland in a bonus-point victory that also sees them get over the line by a winning margin of at least 21 points.

But there is another historic title to be decided, with both sides also playing for the Auld Alliance Trophy. 

First commissioned in 2018 by Scottish Rugby and the French Rugby Federation (FFR), the trophy is made by London-based Silversmiths Thomas Lyte, who also make the trophies taken home by winners of the Sport Industry Awards, as well as the iconic Guinness Six Nations trophy itself. 

In tribute to the courageous rugby players from the two nations who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War, and to celebrate the historic relationship between Scotland and France, the trophy specifically commemorates the captains of the two nations in the last matches played before the First World War – Eric Milroyand Marcel Burgun, both of whom would later die in the conflict.

The trophy is a tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice, with 22 French and 30 Scottish rugby internationals killed in action, along with countless other club players from both nations.

Standing at 60cm in height and hand spun from hallmarked Sterling Silver, the Auld Alliance trophy required a total of 110 craft hours to create. The contemporary sweeping form of the trophy rises up in remembrance, while the clipped edge refers to lives so tragically cut short. Around the trophy is a band of poppies and cornflowers, exquisitely engraved in line form to encourage a closer look, while the bright mirror finish applied patiently to the sterling silver surface allows for personal reflection as we remember all those who fell.

“The Auld Alliance Trophy is a very significant commission for Thomas Lyte, commemorating an immensely sad time in our history, while celebrating one of rugby’s great contests” said Thomas Lyte Founder and CEO Kevin Baker. 

“This trophy is a magnificent symbol of considered craft. I have no doubt the whole Thomas Lyte team will be watching with pride tonight, with the incredible opportunity to see this wonderful trophy lifted alongside perhaps one of our most famous trophy commissions, the Guinness Six Nations trophy itself”

Thomas Lyte, whose expertise is in custom trophy design and manufacture, is responsible for some of the world’s most iconic sporting trophies, including the Rugby World Cup’s Webb Ellis trophy, the Emirates FA Cup, and the Davis Cup trophy as well as the Guinness Six Nations trophy itself.