Six Nations strugglers survive Georgian ambition

The Six Nations appear to have adopted a new signature tune in response to Georgia’s request for membership. It can be found in one line from the Chuck Berry song:

Keep on knocking but you can’t come in….

Their six-year monopoly of the second tier European Nations’ Cup is not enough.

If they extend that monopoly for another six years, it probably still won’t be enough and that, in a very back-handed sense, is a compliment to the Georgians.

By rejecting the concept of an annual play-off between the bottom team of the Six Nations and the top one of the Nations’ Cup, the Six Nations have decided to look after their own rather than expose them to the risk of being relegated.

Not even the assurance of a play-off heavily loaded in favour of the wooden spoonists has proved enough for the Six Nations to move with the times.

Italy will be the most relieved, followed by Scotland.

France, a fading force if ever there was one, are hardly in a position to put altruism above self-interest and support the Georgian cause as articulated by their Kiwi coach Milton Haig.

Their time will surely come although, regrettably, not soon enough for their most admired player, the 32-year-old back row forward Mamuka Gorgodze.