THE Six Nations’ points system will be overhauled in spring as the competition introduces a bonus point for teams scoring four or more tries for the first time.
The Six Nations Council this morning 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 all three Championships 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.
Teams will now be awarded four points for a win as opposed to two under the old system, with a further point given for scoring four or more tries in a game.
A losing bonus point will be awarded for teams that score four or more tries in defeat, and two league will be awarded if they manage that and lose by a margin of seven points or fewer.
Two points will also be awarded for a draw, with a bonus point again on offer for scoring four or more tries.
In order to avoid a potential scenario where a team could win the Grand Slam but potentially miss out on the Six Nations title owing to bonus points, the Grand Slam winners will be awarded three extra points in the league table upon the Championship’s conclusion.
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.”
