It was the first time that the Five Nations championship title was decided by using points difference to separate the top two teams that finished level on win–loss record.

Wales won the tournament, although a 15–8 away defeat by England in their final match meant they failed to win the Grand Slam: England had needed a 16-point margin of victory over Wales in the final match to snatch the tournament themselves, but fell short, conceding a late Welsh try while pressing for the score that would have given them a big enough margin.

Earlier in the tournament, England won the Calcutta Cup beating Scotland at Murrayfield.

In a comparatively low scoring tournament, England then surprisingly lost at home to Ireland, ending their own hopes of a Grand Slam.

Scotland performed poorly throughout and although somewhat unfortunate to lose to England, were heavily defeated by Wales in their opening match and could only manage a draw against Ireland, before being beaten by France at home in their final fixture.