It is often sport’s longest-standing rivalries that tend to deliver the most dramatic moments. Stuart Broad knows all about this…
Every year, the Six Nations puts rugby front of mind for sports fans. There is always a different feel to the opening round in February compared to the first games of the Autumn Nations Series.
Don’t get me wrong — there are some huge clashes in those autumn fixtures, when the best of the Southern Hemisphere come to play in Europe, but they don’t always carry the same historical rivalries as the Six Nations.
It’s often the long-standing rivalries that create the most iconic moments in sport.
Everyone feels them too — the players, the media, the spectators in the grounds, and the fans, both die-hard and casual, watching from home (or behind the sofa!).
Rivalry actually brings the greatest level of respect between players.
For me as a player, it won’t be a great surprise to anyone that The Ashes was always number one. It was like nothing else and really brought out the best in me over the years.
I grew up watching grainy VHS footage of my dad winning an Ashes series in Australia and hearing about how those series were different from any others. Some of my favourite memories in an England shirt came from playing against Australia.
From my first Ashes in 2009 through to moving away from the playing side at the end of the 2023 Series, I got a real sense of the rivalry.
The media build-up starts about a month in advance and, especially at home, you feel the whole country getting behind you, willing you on to perform well.
During those summers, even a simple walk to get a coffee near home would be met with cheers from car drivers and passers-by. That rivalry would spill onto the outfield, with both teams desperate to win.
It could be really intense at times, but more often than not, rivalry actually brings the greatest level of respect between players.
Emotions run high, and there’s a connection in knowing you’ve been through the same experiences.
From a fan’s perspective, a few rivalries spring to mind. It’s no secret that I’m a proud Nottingham Forest fan, and Derby County is our biggest rival.
Notts County might be just over the River Trent, but it’s been the battles on the pitch against Derby that matter most to us as fans.
In recent years, we’ve both been up and down the leagues a little. We last played each other during the 2021/22 Championship season (a 2-1 win for Forest!), and our best hope at the moment is for a great draw in the League Cup or FA Cup.
The atmosphere at The City Ground has been incredible for many seasons now, but I’m confident it would go up another notch if Derby drove down Brian Clough Way!
Scotland have an incredible ability to raise their game for England.
Geographically, Scotland provides the biggest rivalry. One of my earliest memories of watching football was Paul Gascoigne’s goal at Wembley in Euro ’96.
I was 10 years old, so I didn’t fully appreciate the significance of the goal (or the celebration!) back then, but any win over the Auld Enemy was one to celebrate.
Rugby is no different with the Calcutta Cup. Scotland have an incredible ability to raise their game for England, and the last few years have proved it.
Scotland winning the last four just adds to the narrative; I expect Twickenham to be white and blue in equal measure in a few weeks’ time! It’s the game I look out for the most, and one that I just hope England can win this year.
Families can play a big part in rivalries too. Speaking from experience, it’s England vs All Blacks for us. My sister Gemma was born in New Zealand, so we’ve always had a lot of friendly banter when it comes to that game.
When I was playing for England, we’d often be touring in November, missing the opportunity to see the All Blacks if they were at Twickenham.
We finally managed to go last year and loved it. It’s a game with huge history, and the All Blacks bring their own aura to any international, but for us in the Broad family, it’s the one that we love!
Looking ahead to 2025 and the great sporting battles to come, you’re immediately drawn to The Ashes in November.
The first tee at Le Golf National in 2018 was unlike anything seen on a golf course before.
But the other one I can’t wait for is the Ryder Cup. The way this event has grown over the last 10–15 years is extraordinary. I think there are a few reasons why the rivalry has intensified.
Firstly, how difficult it is for the away team to come away victorious — Medinah in 2012 was incredible, that comeback on the Saturday night into Sunday, with Ian Poulter playing out of his skin.
No team has done that since, and I think that has built the hype. The fan experience has also played a big role in bringing the rivalry to the surface. The first tee at Le Golf National in 2018 was unlike anything seen on a golf course before.
Finally, the media and social media have amplified the Ryder Cup’s rivalry. The European team does a fantastic job of bringing the passion to the surface for their players.
The access fans now get brings them closer to the action and makes the players feel more relatable.
I can’t wait for Bethpage in September! I’d love to be there — I think it will be the most talked about yet.
So come on Luke & Team Europe, Maro & Steve, Stokesy & Baz, and Nuno at The City Ground — my sporting happiness is in your hands!
The guys at Fitzdares have given me a £500 free bet pot to use on a selection of the major sporting events of my choice. All the profits will go to The Broad Appeal, helping raise awareness and support for Motor Neurone Disease.
Here’s what I’m backing with February’s pot…
£100 Luke Littler @ 15/8
Premier League Darts, Glasgow, 13th February
£50 EW Matthieu Pavon @ 300/1
Genesis Invitational, 13th — 16th February
£100 England @ 1/4
England vs Scotland, 22nd February
£100 Draw @ 13/5
Man City vs Liverpool, 23rd February
£100 Nottingham Forest @ 3/1
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal, 26th February
Stuart Broad is Fitzdares’ global Brand Ambassador.
