Alan Good

THE clamour in recent weeks for the introduction of bonus points to the RBS Six Nations seems to overlook one obvious flaw — such a system could compromise the fabled Grand Slam.

A number of rugby luminaries have reasonably argued for the introduction of the bonus point system employed in the Heineken Cup and Tri-Nations, a set of incentives which has undoubtedly changed these competitions for the better in terms of drama.

Munster’s ‘Miracle Match’ against Gloucester in 2003 wouldn’t have been achievable without it, while this season, Northampton’s Jon Clarke finished off a stunning length-of-the-field move at the death against Perpignan to claim the bonus point that eventually helped seal their place in the last eight of the Heineken Cup.

Such a system could certainly have altered the complexion of last weekend’s Six Nations clash in Paris. The French had three tries chalked up by the hour, and potted drop-goals and penalties to keep Ireland at bay thereafter — whereas a bonus point system would have seen them go for the jugular and an all-important fourth try.

Indeed, the issue is to the forefront with many still predicting the tournament could be decided on points difference, as it was in favour of France in 2007.

Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip is among those in favour of introducing such a system, saying earlier this week: “It would reward teams for chasing games and not giving up games. It would reward teams for going out and getting four tries. There’s no harm in trying. Why not? They do it in every other competition I’m playing in.”

So where’s the catch? Well, picture this potential scenario; Ireland grind out five wins from five, but fail to score more than three tries in any game, giving them a total — under the bonus point system used in the Heineken Cup — of 20 points.

Say France come next, with four wins from five, but manage to rack up four tries in each of their wins — and a losing bonus in a narrow loss to Ireland.

That would give them 21 points, and we’d be left with the peculiar and unheralded situation where one team claims a Grand Slam, but another the championship.

I’m all for the bonus point system and the exciting rugby it helps produce, particularly when the calculators come out during round six of the Heineken Cup.

But when considering the application of such a system at Six Nations level, we must first ask whether it would be wise to discard something so integral to the history and make-up of the tournament.