Six Nations chief executive Tom Harrison insists bonus points are unlikely to be abandoned if it transpires that Ireland win this year’s tournament despite claiming fewer victories than England.
England’s triumph over Andy Farrell’s men on Saturday has brought intrigue to the final day of the Guinness Six Nations, with both sides capable of lifting the crown, while France and Scotland also have mathematical chances of winning.
Ireland are in the driving seat and could retain their title even if they lose or draw against Scotland and England topple France, because they have already accumulated four bonus points.
It would be the first time since bonus points were introduced in 2017 that the team finishing top had collected fewer victories than the side in second, but Harrison has indicated the format is here to stay.
When asked about whether a rethink would be needed if the Six Nations was won in that way, Harrison replied: “Yes, if we think bonus points are a problem.
“But remember why bonus points are there – bonus points are there to promote positive rugby. It’s about fan engagement, right?
“It’s also that the players know. It’s not as though we’re saying ‘You’ve played so well we’re going to award you an extra point afterwards’. No, I don’t think it will change.
“I’m delighted that there is some jeopardy going into the final weekend. It’s great. That’s one of the features of the Six Nations – you genuinely don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Harrison was speaking at the launch of the Women’s Six Nations in London – a competition England are aiming to win for the sixth successive year, with France their closest rivals.
With their rivals investing more money into their national programmes in an attempt to catch up, Harrison is confident the playing field will level out.
“It would be great to have more competitive matches and I think that, through the investments that have happened just in the last 12 months, we will start to see some of that,” he said.
“Of course, England and France have obviously also upped their game in terms of their performance, and we have had another year of understanding how to become even better.
“Partners are very interested in seeing those improvements and seeing how teams are becoming more competitive.
“And let’s be honest, this isn’t the domination that you might see in Scottish football, for example. We’ve got a couple of years where the gap has widened and I expect that gap to narrow.
“Our role is to provide increased levels of funding for the women’s game because we don’t really get involved in the high-performance space.
“What we can do, though, is ensure those funding streams are healthy, open and exploited to the full extent.”
I would have asked to bat in top four on debut, says England's Bethell
Jacob Bethell said that he would have asked to bat up the order on his Test debut had he not received a "surprise" invitation to do so by England against New Zealand.
Bethell scored an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls after coming in at number three and also hit the winning runs as the tourists posted an eight-wicket win in the first Test in Christchurch.
"I would have asked for it to be honest," Bethell told BBC Sport.
"I like batting up the order so I was really happy that opportunity arose. I've always wanted to bat in the top four, so three is perfect," added Bethell, who had not battled above number four in his first-class career where he has an average of 25.44 from 30 innings.
The 21-year-old was called up to the England squad as a batting cover, but found himself in the line-up after an injury to wicketkeeper Jordan Cox.
Bethell was dismissed for 10 in his first Test innings, but produced a quick half-century in the second as England chased down the 104-run target set by New Zealand with ease.
"It's everything I've dreamed of," said Bethell, who hit eight fours and a six during his knock.
"It lived up to expectations. It was so fun."
But Bethell will have his work cut out to keep his number three spot with Ollie Pope, who moved down the order due to workload management after wicketkeeping duties, being the regular for England in that position.
"It was my first experience playing in front of packed grass banks, pristine outfield, good pitches and playing against a good team, so it was great," Bethell said.
"To come out in the second innings and have a chance to walk off with an England win was at the forefront of my mind and luckily I was able to do that."
Born in Barbados, Bethell moved to England at the age of 13 and made his T20 and ODI debuts against Australia in September.
He has scored three scores of 50 or more in 15 limited-over appearances for England so far, earning him a contract with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League worth about £245,000.
The second Test of the three-match series will begin in Wellington on Thursday.
I would've asked to bat in top four on debut, says England's Bethell
Jacob Bethell said that he would have asked to bat up the order on his Test debut had he not received a "surprise" invitation to do so by England against New Zealand.
Bethell scored an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls after coming in at number three and also hit the winning runs as the tourists posted an eight-wicket win in the first Test in Christchurch.
"I would have asked for it to be honest," Bethell told BBC Sport.
"I like batting up the order so I was really happy that opportunity arose. I've always wanted to bat in the top four, so three is perfect," added Bethell, who had not battled above number four in his first-class career where he has an average of 25.44 from 30 innings.
The 21-year-old was called up to the England squad as a batting cover, but found himself in the line-up after an injury to wicketkeeper Jordan Cox.
Bethell was dismissed for 10 in his first Test innings, but produced a quick half-century in the second as England chased down the 104-run target set by New Zealand with ease.
"It's everything I've dreamed of," said Bethell, who hit eight fours and a six during his knock.
"It lived up to expectations. It was so fun."
But Bethell will have his work cut out to keep his number three spot with Ollie Pope, who moved down the order due to workload management after wicketkeeping duties, being the regular for England in that position.
"It was my first experience playing in front of packed grass banks, pristine outfield, good pitches and playing against a good team, so it was great," Bethell said.
"To come out in the second innings and have a chance to walk off with an England win was at the forefront of my mind and luckily I was able to do that."
Born in Barbados, Bethell moved to England at the age of 13 and made his T20 and ODI debuts against Australia in September.
He has scored three scores of 50 or more in 15 limited-over appearances for England so far, earning him a contract with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League worth about £245,000.
The second Test of the three-match series will begin in Wellington on Thursday.
England captain Stokes confident in fitness ahead of second New Zealand Test
England captain Ben Stokes allayed fears over his fitness despite an injury scare on Sunday.
Stokes' side claimed an eight-wicket win over New Zealand in Christchurch, with Brydon Carse taking six wickets in the second innings.
But while Carse starred, becoming the first England seamer since Ryan Sidebottom in 2008 to take 10 wickets in an away Test match, Stokes was forced to abandon a bowling spell midway through his fifth over.
However, the England skipper claimed he was merely managing his body, and he is confident of being fit to feature in the second Test, which starts on Friday in Wellington.
He said: "I've not spent that much time out in the middle for a long time.
"It's been a pretty heavy week this week: a lot of time in the field, bowled 20 overs, and then spent some time out in the middle.
"I hurt my back diving for a ball as well.
"It's more management than anything else: with where we were in the game, it didn't feel necessary to eke out any more balls than I needed to. I think the body is going to be good for this outing, and I'm raring to go for Wellington."
Stokes also had special praise for Carse.
"I've been fortunate enough to grow up with Brydon [Carse] in my Durham days and I've always known his potential and his talent," Stokes added.
"So to see him come into this team and make an impact so early on is amazing. He's an absolute workhorse and he'll keep charging in all day regardless of whether conditions are in his favour or not.
"To see him get his rewards, walking off with six-for and 10 in the game is amazing."
It was a humbling defeat for hosts New Zealand, who were left to rue some sloppy fielding. Captain Tom Latham, though, was not too downcast.
He said: "Isolate the first two innings, that sort of surface, the position we were in, I was happy.
"We had our opportunities, on another day the catches go to hand and it would've been slightly different. That’s the sport we play.
"Some days it doesn't fall your way. From our point of view, guys aren't meaning to drop them, they are trying. Some days they catch them, other days it drops, that's the game of cricket."
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