[Stevens]

Should the six nations Rugby Union Championship become the seven nations with the addition of Romania?

[Matt the Thrasher]

I don't think so yet I think they should give the Italians a few more years to bed in first.

[goldenHuddlestone]

Few more years in bed knowing the italians

[Stiles]

Does anybody know when the Six nations starts? Is it before or after the world cup?

[aisuru]

6 Nations starts in February, WC isn't until September

[goldenHuddlestone]

Where is WC this year

[prince of darkness]

France

[prince of darkness]

What i would like to see is a two tier six nations with relegation and promotion. in the second league you could have romania,georgia,spain,russia,portugal and germany.I think this would help to develope the game internationaly.

[aisuru]

Originally Posted by prince of darkness

What i would like to see is a two tier six nations with relegation and promotion. in the second league you could have romania,georgia,spain,russia,portugal and germany.I think this would help to develope the game internationaly.

good idea

[goldenHuddlestone]

That is a pretty good idea are they all rugby-ing nations

[Jedi Knight]

Originally Posted by prince of darkness

What i would like to see is a two tier six nations with relegation and promotion. in the second league you could have romania,georgia,spain,russia,portugal and germany.I think this would help to develope the game internationaly.

actually that's one of the best idea's i've heard regarding developing a sport, and particulary intenational rugby union. To include these nations now is the equivalent of San Marino etc automatically qualifying for the Euros'. In fact to include these nations in to the current format may only serve to hinder said conties development and public interest in the sport. Having a two tier system would allow the likes of Spain, Rumania etc ....develop to a level were they could actualy give the six nations a real game as well as giving them an incentive to develop.

[Matt the Thrasher]

In fact there already is a second tier Rugby competition comprising Russia, Spain, Portugal,Romania and a few others though it gets very little publicity as rubgby is very much a minority sport in the nations concerned. Portugal won it the season before last and I think Russia are the current champions.
The other year I had an interesting conversation with a Luso-American who thought Portugal were European rugby champions I had a hell of a job making him understand that they had only won the second string competition he'd never heard of the 6 nations.

[Jedi Knight]

and that's another point. Rugby's profile isn't exactly the highest so that is the first priority. LInking these two competitions together mat raise slightly in these countries where football dominates

[Matt the Thrasher]

The problem is that if you had promotion and relegation between the two any country promoted would just get slaughtered in every match and the country relegated from the six nations would win every game by a street.

[aisuru]

well, the minor countries won't improve unless they get regular games against decent competition, which this setup would allow. it might be liek that for a few years, but once they get some experience they'll be able to raise their game to the level that the Six are at now. it'll also be good for the Six, as they have a bit more variety to compete against.

[Jedi Knight]

took the words right out of my mouth. After a few years of playing competitive rugby and with one of the major Euro sides in their group, these emerging rugby nations would surely improve!!

[Matt the Thrasher]

I agree in principle but I think more needs to be done to improve the standard of rugby in the countries concerned first otherwise it would be like promoting teams from the nationwide conference straight to the premiership.