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Wed 30 Nov 2016 | 02:09
Six Nations set to introduce trial Bonus Points system in 2017

21
Comments

The Six Nations Council today announced the introduction of a bonus points system in the RBS 6 Nations, the Women's Six Nations and the Under 20s Six Nations Championships. This system will be implemented on a trial basis in 2017 and will be reviewed post Championships.
 
As part of their review of the Championships, the Council took the decision to implement a bonus point system to encourage and reward try scoring and attacking play.
 
Competition points will be awarded in all matches on the following basis:

(i) The Union that wins the Match shall be awarded four Match Points or (if it scores four tries or more in the process) five Match Points.

(ii) The Union that loses the Match shall be awarded no Match Points or (if it scores four tries or more in the process or loses by a margin of seven points or fewer) one Match Point or (if it scores four tries or more in the process and loses by a margin of seven points or fewer) two Match Points.

(iii) Unions that draw a Match shall each be awarded two Match Points and any of them that scores four tries or more in the process shall be awarded a further one Match Point.

(iv) A Union that wins all five of its Matches (a "Grand Slam”) shall be awarded a further three Match Points.

Pat Whelan, Chairman of the Six Nations said: "We have been looking at the feasibility of a bonus point system for a while and examining what kind of bonus point system would work best, given the unique properties and format of our Championships.

"We needed to ensure that whatever bonus point system we selected would work with the already proven structure of the Championships and would serve to materially improve what is already there. We are happy that the system that we have decided to trial is the one best suited to our Championships and we are delighted to be going ahead with this new development.

"We believe that the initiative will enhance our competitions for fans, teams, broadcasters and all of those for whom the Championship means so much."
 
John Feehan, Chief Executive of Six Nations said: "The drama and excitement of the last weekend of the RBS 6 Nations Championship is unique and is, more often than not, driven by a number of teams on equal Championship points all competing for first place on the table.

"It is important for us to ensure that any bonus point system which is implemented would not, in any way, take away from this unique dynamic.

"At the same time, we are also conscious that we must reward try scoring and an attacking style of play that will deliver more tries and greater rewards for fans and players alike.

"We are very excited about the potential that this new development will bring to the Championships and we look forward to trialling it next February and March."

Is this long overdue, or messing with tradition?

Posted By: Grant Constable

21 Comments

  • danknapp
    9:11 PM 03/12/2016

    All for the best, I'd probably end up producing a flaccid and unsatisfying premature Brexit anyway.

  • drg
    10:42 AM 03/12/2016

    Too smart I'm afraid.... We'd make every other decision ever made looking awful, they can't risk that, so they'll employ the services of nitwits..

  • danknapp
    8:30 AM 03/12/2016

    With our ability to draw sensible conclusions from small amounts of data, it's surprising we've not been asked to be involved with things like Brexit.

  • drg
    11:28 PM 02/12/2016

    Yes dan... and if you look at the talk surrounding a new team joining right now, we're saying something like 20 years... so we've gone from a 90 year gap, to a 20 year gap (potentially)... so we're looking at Georgia joining in 2020, then what following that trend it's 2024 before the next team joins, then we're down to about 2025... then after that it's a new team at least every couple months....

  • danknapp
    4:16 PM 02/12/2016

    Agreed, France joined in 1910 and Italy in 2000. At this rate we'll have a 16 team NH cup in 2910, and my great-great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren will be unable to enjoy Space Rugby the way I enjoy it.

  • drg
    10:46 AM 02/12/2016

    Back to the introduction of another team idea I see...

    Where do we stop if we let the tournament grow? Won't we end up with a NH Cup? Or relegation is the other idea..I don't like the idea of waiting a potential 24 months to see a rivalry match. Sure bringing in a lower nation might help their game out, but it would be at a detriment to a higher nation. Georgia as the front runners really didn't get on too well in their latest match up against Scotland. I think there needs to be more regular tours against tier 2 nations first...

  • drg
    10:34 AM 02/12/2016

    http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38161179

    That is the article, if you read it you'll see in 2016, SH competition was 5.83, compared to 4.7 in the 6N.

    But that the increase hasn't been huge on either sides part.

    Interesting point about weaker teams, but then considering the two 'weak' 6N teams, Italy, and Scotland, their defence is normally very strong until the last 20 mins or so, Scotland (based on a feeling..so might be way off) give me the impression most points against them are due to penalties they give through their indiscipline... But again, its another twist that needs research to see if indeed the avg is 1 try per game then 20 against Italy (or whatever the numbers are!)

    I don't think the bonus point is a bad idea, just interesting to read new waves of info.

  • im1
    9:21 AM 02/12/2016

    the number of tries is going to be influenced by the difference in standard between the teams within each competition as well though.

  • drg
    7:01 PM 01/12/2016

    Interesting article I read showed that on avg the rugby championship only scores appx 1 more try per game than NH... About 4 tries to 5 ish

  • rugbydump
    1:55 PM 01/12/2016

    We've added a video with Six Nations Rugby CEO John Feehan and Chairman Pat Whelan discussing the decision

  • richsg
    1:17 PM 01/12/2016

    Great idea. Agree other teams need to start getting introduced to the 6N (like Japan for the RC). This is a better idea than promotion/relegation.

    The issue with relegation/promotion is the same one as in the premiership atm - mainly money. it's an ugly topic but we have to talk about it. How do you make sure you're fair to both promoted and relegated teams, in terms of money they get, tv deals etc, and also give them enough time to make progress in 6N without them just being relegated straight away.

  • danknapp
    11:24 AM 01/12/2016

    If we're going to play a game of 'Unrealistic Idea Generating' we could add a visiting team to the 6N each year. Invite Samoa, Fiji, Tonga etc to the party. Visiting team varies every year, fans get to see a different spectacle, adds a new element... Never going to happen, but it's a nice idea.

  • danknapp
    11:20 AM 01/12/2016

    It isn't unfair to make wealthy established nations travel to play a rugby match. England rarely get their arses out to these other countries and make an absolute mint off countries like Fiji coming to play here. The more we support these developing nations, the better.

  • im1
    9:43 AM 01/12/2016

    I agree that there needs to be a game in the country in the lower league as would be a massively high profile game there. A bit unfair on the other team though having to go away.

    What about two legs with the first played in the country of the lower league (in case they get hammered in the away first leg)?

  • danknapp
    9:28 AM 01/12/2016

    Play off could work, but it takes place in the country of the team from the lower league. That way even if they lose they get some money from a visiting team coming to play.

  • jonnyenglish
    6:54 PM 30/11/2016

    As much as I enjoy the idea of Wales losing every year for that match to go ahead, it's more likely to bt Italy surely?

    But yep, all for this, could actually promote attacking Rugby like in the SH (shit hemisphere) ;).

  • colombes
    4:59 PM 30/11/2016

    It won't please the old farts? Perfect.

  • im1
    4:49 PM 30/11/2016

    what about a play off rather than straight relegation/promotion?

    Assuming Georgia were promoted surely there would be a fair few years where they are on the end of some serious hammerings, which could be detrimental. At least with a play off system, they will still get a big game each year to try and beat Wales and go up.

  • danknapp
    4:21 PM 30/11/2016

    Absolutely. The Grand Slam remains the pinnacle of NH rugby.

    Promotion and relegation would be the next step, in my view, with the likes of Georgia joining the fun.

  • guy
    4:03 PM 30/11/2016

    I especially like the 3 bonus points in case of a Grand Slam, thus garanteeing that the team that beats all others will definitely win the championship.

  • danknapp
    3:47 PM 30/11/2016

    Excellent decision. While the 6 Nations has given us a lot of really exciting close games over the years, anything which encourages attacking rugby should be applauded.

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