6 Nations - Italy

[Deskdiary]

As a rule, whenever one of the 5 nations play Italy the result is never in question, and it's just a matter how how much Italy will lose by - their last win in the 6 Nations was 7 years ago.

Is it worth trying relegation for the bottom team and promotion for a 'B' nation - the latter most likely to be Georgia or Romania at the moment.

[ToraToraTora]

Well they've beaten all the teams England so they ain't that bad!

[ToraToraTora]

Well they've beaten all the teams bar England so they ain't that bad!

[Deskdiary]

In the current world rankings, Georgia are one place above Italy and Romania are one place below.

[Mozz71]

I like the idea of relegation, but you can bet the authorities would soon change their mind if one of the home nations finished bottom.

[ToraToraTora]

yeah I think there is a case for the second tier to have a promotion and the top tier a demotion annually. Not against that but in reality it'll be Georgia/Italy up and down like a fiddlers elbow.

[Ken4155]

^
Bit pointless, then?

[Mozz71]

I don't think so Ken. It would give other nations the motivation to better themselves in order to get a season or two with the big boys. Sport needs the element of peril that relegation brings.

[Togo]

Not only the continuous swapping of the two teams, but would Georgia bring with it a whole new set of problems concerning security and travel?

[douglas9401]

Tinkering generally brings tinkers.

Look at the roaring success over at F1 since somebody had 'GOOD IDEAS'.

[ichkeria]

Generally it reflects an issue with rugby: namely there simply aren't enough teams of a sufficient standard to merit completely open competition. On the other hand if you don't open it up then teams like Georgia never get a chance.
The obvious solution is to have a seven-nation tournament with Georgia included. Then you'd get 3 home and 3 away games and Italy would at last have a chance to won a game :-)
I can't see what the issue is with travelling to Tbilisi: it's a bit further but so what? The teams in the rugby championship include Argentina.

[ToraToraTora]

good idea ich.

[DTCwordfan]

I have long advocated two divisions and, once established and settled down, say two to three years, then the wooden spoonists should play the div 2 champions, cumulative points over home and away.....then stay or promote/demote accordingly.

Dive 2 to comprise of Georgia, Romania, Kazakhstan, maybe Russia allowing for politics, maybe Benelux + Germany, Scandinavia, Iberia.....and the Isle of Man.....

[DTCwordfan]

the I. of Man - what was I thinking - joke.....but could include the Channel Islands and Rockall.

[ichkeria]

There is of course a European championship with divisions already.
I once endured Ukraine v Germany: a turgid 9-6. But free entry to the Spartak stadium and very cheap beer. A bit of an anti climax after watching Ireland v Argentina in the pub in the World Cup though.

[DTCwordfan]

Div 1 vs Div 2, ichkeria, but I accept probably more akin to watching the Premier versus League 1 - and not a Championship side....

[ToraToraTora]

may be an idea to make it the 8 nations and add Georgia and Romania.