Heineken rules paint different picture

If the Six Nations organisers followed the Heineken Cup format, four teams would be vying for top spot this weekend.

Ireland meet England in Twickenham tomorrow and notwithstanding the claims from the Six Nations traditionalists, there’s nothing in it for them. This, despite scoring more tries than anyone else, and equalling the cumulative tries of France and England.

Part of the beauty of the Heineken Cup, although you might not always want it to be like that, is the intensity, the desire, the hunger for picking up bonus points, whether that’s by scoring four tries, not conceding them to the opposition or grabbing one for your team at the end of the game. It makes it all so exciting.

So while Wales reflect on the possibility of winning the Grand Slam this season — and they’re most certainly the team of the tournament — in a Heineken Cup, environment the final day would be so much more interesting.

Wales would still be top with 16 points, but France (fourth) could jump ahead by beating them, even without a bonus point. Ireland and England in Twickenham, on 13 points and three behind the leaders, would battle it out vigorously and unless the Welsh won in Cardiff, the title would still be up for grabs.

That has become the end-of-season scenario fans supporting the Heineken Cup expect. It’s also the reason why the tournament has given northern hemisphere rugby the type of headline position it enjoys in world rugby.