Six Nations introduce bonus points

A bonus points system is to be introduced for the 2017 RBS 6 Nations, The Women's Six Nations and the Under 20s Six Nations Championships.

The Six Nations Council will trial the system in all three Championships in 2017 in a bit ‘to encourage and reward try scoring and attacking play’. The system will be reviewed at the end of the Championships.

A team that wins a match will be awarded four points but will pick up an additional point if it scores four tries or more in the match.

Losing teams will collect one point if they score four tries or loses by a margin of seven points or lower, while they will pick up two points if they scores four tries or more and loses by a margin of seven points or fewer.

Should a match end in a draw, teams will be awarded two points with a further point added if they score four or more tries.

In the event of a team completing the Grand Slam - winning all five matches - that team will be awarded a further three points.

Commenting on the introduction of bonus 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 added: "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.”

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