Old school: Philippe Saint-André
France coach Philippe Saint-André is totally opposed to the proposed introduction of bonus points for the Six Nations Championship.
The 45-year-old, who is set to take France into his second Six Nations as coach, said he would feel cheated were his side to win the Grand Slam but another team finished top on account of accruing more bonus points.
It was revealed earlier this month that consultation report has been drawn up for the six countries to discuss whether to bring in the bonus-points system which would see sides earn points for scoring four tries and losing by a margin of seven points or less.
On that basis France's Grand Slam in 2002 would have not been enough to see them top the table as bitter rivals England would have edged them courtesy of four offensive bonus points.
All the British Isles major club tournaments as well as the European Cup and Challenge competitions award bonus points, but the Six Nations has consistently refused to do so, declaring the history and success of the tournament meant change was not necessary.
The report says that foremost among the countries wanting a full debate on the matter are England.
However, Saint-André, an Anglophile having spent more than eight years coaching across the Channel, believes imposing bonus points would destroy the whole ethos of the competition.
"I like the system as it is important for World Cups and club competitions," the 69-time capped former France wing and captain told AFP on Tuesday.
"However, maybe I'm old school but I wouldn't feel at ease if a team won the Grand Slam and don't win the Six Nations because another team gets more points on account of bonus points.
"I would feel cheated if that were to happen because it goes against the spirit of the competition.
"Me, I came into rugby because as a child I used to watch the (then) Five Nations and it was all about either the Grand Slam or the wooden spoon."
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
Saint-Andre coached sides are not reknown for they attacking flair, be it Gloucester, Sale or Toulon, they all lacked imagination. However, although I sense his opposition is coloured by his own coaching limitations, I do agree that the idea of a grand slam winning team missing out on the actual trophy would just turn the whole competition into a rediculous joke.
I remember 2002 when England lost to France in Paris and wilko got betsened. The next match we thrashed Wales 50 - 10 yet we are all walking about with faces resembling a bull dog chewing a wasp because the grand slam was gone. They are tough things to win because every country has a reason to up their game against everyone else. There's serious passion on the pitch and in the stands. There's nothing worse than losing a six nations match to any of the other five countries.
Posted 16:33 22nd January 2013
APV1 says...
@ OldAlex - I think I would advocate the The European Nations Cup to become an annual event first, but I like the concept. Winners of the The European Nations Cup play the losers of the 6N, eh? Food for thought...
Posted 16:17 22nd January 2013
Propmelsey says...
Not too sure about a relegation/promotion concept . I doubt that the Team getting promoted would be good enough to compete. I think purely from a rugby perspective we could cut the competition back to a 5 nation comp, with Scotland dropping out as they are clearly the weakest team in it and have been for some time. I doubt this is feasible though .. probably due to comercial commitments. .... But i think it would do the Scots a lot of good to play at a lower level for now.
Posted 16:02 22nd January 2013
OldAlex says...
"... seeing whether it can be improved (the introduction of France and Italy are good examples of this approach being successful),... "
So what about promotion every two years for the B winner and relegation for the sixth 6N team (on aggregate points over the two seasons)?
Or, if that's too radical, perhaps a play-off on neutral ground? (Georgia v Scotland at Twickenham for "death or glory"!!)
Posted 15:30 22nd January 2013
APV1 says...
I'm certainly not against development and review, but I'm against bonus points in the 6N. I'm all for looking at something and seeing whether it can be improved (the introduction of France and Italy are good examples of this approach being successful), but the competition works.
Posted 15:03 22nd January 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
something of Bonaparte about that image of PSA.
The BP thing has been discussed to death on other threads and this doesn't seem to bring anything different to the argument.
Posted 14:54 22nd January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Totally agree. Every game is a final. A play off. It would be like having bonus points in the knock out rounds of WC or HC. Completely daft. I think supporters have not thought about it. Why mess with an absolutely fantastic tournament! And I am no conservative.
Posted 14:36 22nd January 2013
7redcards says...
I hate this idea of bonus points, its international rugby, you win or you lose, thats it.
Posted 14:30 22nd January 2013