Bonus points still on table

BONUS points are here to stay in the Six Nations, with organisers confirming last season’s experiment is to be made permanent.

The introduction of an extra point for scoring four tries and another for losing by seven points or fewer made no material difference to the table last season but Six Nations chief executive John Feehan, above, feels the system encourages attacking play. “Overall, we’re very happy with bonus points,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to overstate it but on balance it’s had a positive effect. It was a good decision and we’re going to keep it.” Feehan said that he was also open to the possibility of the tournament starting two weeks later and finishing in April in future years.