London, United Kingdom – Attacking rugby will be rewarded with bonus points in next year's Six Nations, organisers said on Wednesday, a measure that has been called for in recent years by many within the game.
The move, which will be on a trial basis and apply also to the Women's and Under-20s Six Nations tournaments, will see the winners of each match receive four points instead of two, but if they score four or more tries they will garner 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.
A Grand Slam like England achieved in their first Six Nations under Eddie Jones earlier this year will see the team awarded three extra points, which would give them some form of insurance over teams who might lose just the one match but gain enough bonus points to overhaul the side that beat all of their rivals.
AFP