THE SIX NATIONS Council has this morning announced plans to introduce a bonus point system for the 2017 Championship.
The move, which will be on a trial basis and apply also to the Women’s and U20s Six Nation tournaments, will see the winners of each match receive four points instead of two, but if they score four or more tries they will earn a bonus point as well.
Even losing sides can come away with something if they meet certain provisos, gaining one point for either losing by seven points or less or for scoring four tries in a defeat, and two points if they lose by seven points or less but score four tries in the process.
If there is a draw both teams split the points as before, only this time they will get two apiece.
Under the new system, competition points will be awarded in all matches on the following basis:
- (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.
- 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.
- 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.
- A Union that wins all five of its Matches (a “Grand Slam”) shall be awarded a further three Match Points.
“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,” Six Nations chairman, Pat Whelan, said.
“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.”
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