SAM: WE CAN’T IGNORE GEORGIA
SAM Warburton wants the Six Nations expanded to include Georgia.
Wales picked up the Wooden Spoon this year after losing all five of their games and have been challenged to a Test match in Tbilisi by Georgia, who won the second-tier Rugby Europe competition for the seventh straight year.
A Six Nations relegation play-off has been touted for several years, but remains highly unlikely to happen because of the financial ramifications for the relegated side.
But Warburton believes the case for Georgia to join the Six Nations is too strong to be ignored and the former Wales captain insists the Lelos should be considered ahead of South Africa if they were to expand to seven teams.
“Should Wales play Georgia now after the Georgians challenged them to an unofficial relegation play-off from the Six Nations? Absolutely they should,” wrote the former Lions skipper in his Times column.
“It is time to consider Georgia as a seventh team. South Africa have been mentioned and their club teams are already playing in the United Rugby Championship (URC), as well as the Champions and Challenge Cups.
“But for me the South African teams in the URC don’t work. It’s too random.
“I’m not saying they don’t bring good value – they obviously bring good quality of play – but the competition as a whole doesn’t make sense to me.
“I really like them being in the Champions and Challenge Cups, however, because I think it is good for Europe’s best to pit themselves against them.
“But South Africa in a Seven Nations is going too far. Before we know it, New Zealand will be in it too.
“Georgia and Rugby Europe champions it should be. They are a passionate rugby nation and their government invests £10 million a year into their £14 million annual rugby budget.
“The timing of their would-be admission to a Seven Nations is crucial. Their rugby is no flash in the pan.
“This is a cultural thing that is not going to go away. So I think it is inevitable that at some stage they are going to have to be admitted into a Seven Nations tournament. It is a question of when.”
While many supporters would love a relegation play-off, Warburton does not believe it is feasible.
“I have long argued for a relegation play-off from the Six Nations and I still love the idea of that sort of jeopardy, but it is not going to happen,” he added.
“It is not that I am suddenly changing my mind on this because Wales have just finished bottom of the Six Nations. I’ve been talking to a lot of people high up in sports administration, particularly those working in television.
“From a broadcast perspective they would love relegation in the Six Nations because it would make for compelling drama.
“But there is one big risk – England getting relegated.
“England provides such a massive proportion of the viewing figures that, if they were to miss out on the Six Nations for a season, it would be catastrophic commercially.
“But the reality is that, even if broadcasters were in favour, no home nation is going to agree to a relegation play-off.
“Instead, the more viable option is to increase the tournament to seven teams.”