French boot for bonus point

France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre has voiced his opposition to bonus points in the Six Nations, saying it is against the spirit of the competition.

Saint-Andre was reacting to reports that rugby’s oldest international championship could introduce a bonus-point system to bring it in line with the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship and the World Cup group stages. Bonus points are also awarded in the Heineken Cup, RaboDirect Pro12, French Top14 and English Premiership, with the standard formula being one point for scoring four tries or more or for losing by seven points or less.

Speaking at the launch of the 2013 RBS 6 Nations in London yesterday, the former Sale and Toulon boss was vehemently opposed to a system which he said could see a team complete a Grand Slam and yet still finish second in the Six Nations table.