The tournament consisted of ten matches held between 20 January and 24 March 1990.

The championship was contested by England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Scotland won the tournament, achieving a final 13–7 victory over England to win the Grand Slam, their first since 1984 and third overall in the Five Nations.

England and France placed second and third with three and two wins respectively, while Ireland and Wales placed fourth and fifth with one victory and none.

[citation needed] This was Scotland's final Grand Slam in the Five Nations and penultimate overall win, as they would later win the final 1999 Five Nations Championship on points difference.