Including the previous incarnations as the Five Nations, and prior to that, the Home Nations, this was the fifty-second series of the northern hemisphere rugby union championship.

It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

France would be readmitted later in the year, but the start of World War II in Europe in September put international rugby on hold; it would not resume until 1947.

The Calcutta Cup match was the last international game before World War II.

Six players who took part in the game would lose their lives during the war, while seven would return to international rugby post-war.