The Bonus-point effect.

We’re now in our second year of bonus-points in the Six Nations and it’s already been confirmed they are here to stay for the foreseeable future.

The good new is the new system is having a pretty positive effect in terms of tries scored. While there was a bit of a drop-off in the first year (down from 71 in 2016 to 66 in 2017) this year we could see the record broken.

For three consecutive years (2000, 2001, 2002) 75 tries were scored in each Six Nations tournament, the highest number scored to date. This year 63 tries have been scored after just four rounds.

Should we see a decent return this weekend of 13 or more, then the record will be broken. Across the three games that’s pretty achievable, and likely given how teams have played up until now.

Whether or not you agree with the bonus-point system or not, it seems to be working. We wanted more tries and more entertaining rugby, and we’re certainly getting it.