Played during the second half of the 1886–87 football season, the competition was won by Scotland for the fourth consecutive time (although they had once shared victory with England).

Ireland also achieved their first placing above the bottom of the table, finishing above Wales due to victory at home in their final match.

Scotland joined them with a strong victory over Ireland in their first game, but England again seized the top slot with their own defeat of Wales.

In their final match, Ireland succeeded in achieving their first ever international victory with a 4–1 win over Wales in Belfast, to put them in third position.

In the final match, Scotland beat Wales in Wrexham to outstrip England's points total and win the trophy.