Thats interesting, my initial gut feel is one of not being sure, for the reason of the Grand Slam, but also a sense of, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

I fo have concerns for Scotland and Italy that the Six Nations is starting to be a tournament where they see to be the whipping boys, with little hope of progress, and that this might turn fans off the game - Scotland seem to have had so little to cheer for so long - perhaps the victory against Australia, but that was away.

I'd prefer, as a first step to see a Six nations first and second division with one up one down at the end of the season to develop the game further and wider, but I'd be very keen to hear others thoughts.

Yes but if you win all five games you get 3 bonus points. If you still don't win the competition then tough!

Im trying to work out how you could beat all 5 other teams and not win the title even with a try bonus point system.

At 3 points for a win 1 for a draw the ONLY scenario I can see it occurring is:

If you win 5 games with zero bonus points you get 15 points.
If you win 4 games with 4 bonus points you get 16(possibly 17 for a lbp).

HOWEVER the bonus point system uses 4 points for a win 2 for a draw.

5 wins no bp is 20 points.
4 wins 4 bonus points is 20 points +1lbp would be the only situation it would occur.

But I do agree that the way the tournament is organised is slightly unfair to some teams some years. Perhaps the current system isnt too bad

Im not advocating a change, but the only way i see to introduce BP system here is to either bring more teams in, which effectively would mean the end of Grand Slams or reduce the number of teams and have home and away games.

Reduction to 4 with home and away would be an identical structure to the northern hemisphere 4 nations. (I refuse to call it by its new name and indeed condemn the arrogance of its new name.)

But in reality. Im with SARS. Don't fix it if its not broken. Its unfair at times yes, its certainly flawed with the home advantage swinging year on year, but its flaws are perhaps its beauties also and its unique structure is just that. Unique. and thats a good thing most of the time.

Agreed Ding but obviously we don't want to lose any teams and threaten Rugby's popularity in those countries.

It's good how it is, just wish there was a way round the home - away issue each year.

There is a school of thought that if something isn’t broken you don’t try to fix it,
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exactly. what a completely absurd idea this is. it just reeks of someone trying to justify the point of them having a job.

I don't want bonus points, the way it works now is fine. As for the fixtures, it is true some teams have it slightly easier than others. Ireland for example have only a trip to Wales to worry about whereas England travel to Ireland and Wales and France go to HQ and Ireland. I like that system though, it is just the way it is.

SARS, I would welcome the promotion/relegation proposal you made personally. I like Georgia and feel if they had more incentive (i.e seeing an England or France play in Georgia) the game could grow faster. However, I support England and we have virtually no chance of relegation, if I supported a smaller nation like Italy or Scotland or Ireland (boom! that was for the last season predicting a WS for us Ding ) I may see it differently.

the chance of a play off game against the wooden spoonists might be more pallatable.

the 6 nations is awesome as it is, keep it the same

I agree don't change it. It unique in world rugby. And thats a good thing.

P.S.
Im not one to care about stars on articles but the simple fact of re-reporting a story is hardly a reason to start pressing the 1 star button. Grow up

Not sure what all this star business is but have 5 from me mate!

Am I the only one getting sick and tried with the TV's fixation with tries and this constant forelock tugging to the Southern hemisphere? The super 14s and four nations often resemble glorified basket ball and do not contain the drama, physicality and intircate forward play that contribute so greatly the beauty of the game.

There's no need to change the 6 nations - tickets sell out everty year, viewing figures are pretty much stable and pubs that have any sort of rugby crowd are still bursting at the seams. This is a great product and changing it would be ridiculous.

The super 14s and four nations often resemble glorified basket ball and do not contain the drama, physicality and intircate forward play that contribute so greatly the beauty of the game.

There's no need to change the 6 nations - tickets sell out everty year, viewing figures are pretty much stable and pubs that have any sort of rugby crowd are still bursting at the seams. This is a great product and changing it would be ridiculous.
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the game at the top level anywhere in the world is a different game to the one played 20-30 years ago.

as with most changes this strikes me as probably being partly for the good and partly for the bad.

i know they have tinkered with the laws again since, but forward play has never been the same since they allowed the maul to be brought down.

with regards to the 2nd part of your comment - on changing the points system for the 6 nations - i couldnt agree with your words more, and am at total loss to understand why it is even being considered.

Ding

Never mind all this 'maybe' stuff

Whaddaya reckon to Jonny Sexton heading for France? Where will it leave Leinster next season.

Still not confirmed mate.

Racing Metro are saying he's not joining them.

The IRFU are saying they can't match the offers coming in from France.

Sextons saying noting.

And the reporters are doing their very best impressions of headless chickens. Clucking away creating controversy and misinformation.

Sexton is courting the French in order to get a better deal from the IRFU, lots of players have done it before, and he wont be the last. But if he goes to France for some big money deal, he will be making an almighty mistake.

As for where it leaves leinster IF he's going. well its no big deal really. They will cope well enough. And probably buy an out half from somewhere until they can get a decent performer coming through the youth system.

Clutching at a few straws there Ding.

He's on his way and you know it.


BTW. How can a headless chicken cluck?

LOL ye thats true They would have a hard time clucking, but you get the point. So your showing an unnaturally morbid interest in these proceedings, whats it to you mate?

Anyway, ye he has signed as of a few hours ago the report is he has deffo signed a 2 year deal with Racing Metro starting next august.

Best of luck to him.

I don't see it as a negative so much but i do fear this is the opening of the floodgates. Rob Kearney will be up next for renegotiation of his contract.

I really don't like the losing bonus point, it can bring negativity into the game.

A team could get beaten 6-0 in a dire game and get rewarded with a bonus point, madness.

Also alot of these games nowadays are fairly tight affairs so a losing bonus point would be a fairly regular occurance.

Look if Wales had had a pen in the last five minutes last week, they could kick the point in hope of getting a losing bonus point, or kick to the corner score a try and set up a grand stand finish.

I know what I would prefer to watch.

fair point cobnob but u cant have winning BP's without Losing BP's otherwise it has an even more negative effect on the losing team when they get trounced by 4plus trys.

Anyway. its pretty good the way it is. why bother changing the sic nations.