Championship organisers confirmed an incident occurred after round three fixtures, while the trophy was in transit.
No passengers were injured, report Six Nations bosses; however, the Trophy sustained fire damage, and following an assessment by the official Trophy manufacturer, the trophy cannot be restored to its full presentation standard.
Created in 2015 to mark the evolution of the competition into a six-team tournament, the 75cm-tall trophy is made from precious silver and has become one of the most recognisable prizes in world rugby.
As is the case with most major international sports tournaments, there is an identical exhibition Trophy which will be used for the remainder of the Championship, meaning the prestige and recognition of winning the Six Nations is unaffected.
Organisers have confirmed a new trophy will be commissioned to the same design, with materials salvaged from the damaged original incorporated into its build to preserve its heritage.
The intricate process will take around 365 hours of skilled craftsmanship, with the replacement set to be unveiled ahead of the 2027 Championship.
[Lead image: Six Nations Rugby]
