Still champions.

Ireland have managed to secure consecutive bonus-points in their last three Six Nations games, but did they need them to secure the championship?

Well no. Not in any way. If you take the bonus-point system away (which was introduced at last year’s Six Nations), Ireland would still have been comfortably crowned champions with a round to spare.

Six Nations table without bonus-points.

1. Ireland – 16 points
2. Wales – 8 points
3. England – 8 points
4. France – 8 points
5. Scotland – 8 points
6. Italy – 0 points.

Even if you take away all of Ireland’s bonus-points, and let the rest keep theirs, Joe Schmidt’s men are almost uncatchable. The only team that could have caught them is Wales, who would have needed a bonus-point win over France, coupled with Ireland coming away with nothing in Twickenham to have a chance of overtaking them.

Six Nations table without Ireland’s bonus-points.

1. Ireland – 16 points
2. Wales – 11 points
3. England – 10 points
4. France – 10 points
5. Scotland – 8 points
6. Italy – 0 points

What do you think of the bonus-point system? Are you happy it’s here to stay?