Seven Nations

Dear Six Nations, dear Rugby Europe,

We are still in the middle of a beautiful World Cup, but already people are talking about the Six Nations tournament end the future developments of this tournament. More precise: expanding it into a Seven Nations tournament including Georgia. I would like to ask you.... NOT TO DO IT!

Of course it would be great for Georgia if they could join the six strongest European nations in their annual tournament. And Scotland and Italy wouldn't be unhappy, since it would diminish their chances of ever winning the wooden spoon again. But it wouldn't be good for the general level of rugby across Europe. By removing the best side away from the European Nations Cup, the level of the games will be a little lower than before. In division 1A Georgia will need to be replaced with a country from division 1B, who will be, with all due respect, a lesser opponent to the rest of division 1A.

To get rugby to a higher level it would be much better to create a relegation/promotion system between the Six Nations and the ENC. Let me illustrate with an example scenario: Italy finish last in the Six Nations, Georgia finish first in the ENC division 1A. The next year Georgia are promoted to the Six Nations, Italy will have to compete in division 1A of the ENC. Of course Georgia will finish last in their first Six Nations tournament. But since the Six Nations is an annual tournament and the ENC spans over two years, the they do not relegate directly. If they finish last twice they will have to face relegation, but if another country finishes last the next year, they will have to play a deciding match to decide who will stay in the tier one tournament and who will compete as a tier two country.

This scenario will be horrible for the relegating country. But then again, they will probably be back in the Six Nations after two years. But the big benefit will be for all the other countries in ENC division 1A. One of them will play matches at the highest possible level in Europe. The other countries will have a team with Six Nations experience in their division. And not just once, but as long as there will be rugby. Eventually, over time, this will improve the level of Rugby across Europe, I'm sure of it.

Best regards,
Ralf de Jong