McGeechan wary of Cup points system

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan is wary of the introduction of a radical and controversial new bonus points system for this year’s World Cup.

The format, which has been approved by the five-man board of Rugby World Cup Ltd, will have an effect in particular on tightly-contested groups in Australia in October.

The rules have been changed so bonus points will be awarded for countries scoring four tries or more – and to losing nations who finish within seven points of their opponents.

This World Cup marks McGeechan’s last competition as Scotland coach, but he has voiced his concern that such a significant alteration is being made at this late stage and feels the new system will benefit the likes of England and those with the strongest squads.

“It is interesting,” he said. “It’s a strange time to bring it in having got the competition and structures apparently sorted.

“It’s to add a bit of excitement and meaning to every game and it also means that you have got to try and be collecting every available point when it’s on offer.

“I still prefer to win all the games in the group. It may be favourable to those with stronger squads because you will have to be careful how you manage the players.

“In previous World Cups I have tried to use all the players and that won’t change. All it does is make the players know they have a big responsibility.

“Whoever puts the jersey on has to make sure things go right at that particular time.

“But it’s still managing the players and the performances that’s going to be important once you get into the competition.

“As a smaller team you probably get less chance of moving your players around. It’s like Formula One now tactically.

“You have to decide when you fill your tank now and how much you leave it before changing it. If you play your top team and try and pick up bonus points that’s dangerous.”

McGeechan, meanwhile, has confessed England would “kill” his side at Twickenham if they switched off like they did against Wales at the weekend.

Scotland recorded their first win of the current RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign at Murrayfield, but they almost threw it away with a lacklustre second-half display.

Very few believe McGeechan’s men can dent the Auld Enemy’s relentless pursuit of the Grand Slam – and their coach fears the worst if they lapse in concentration again.

He added: “I’ve said all along that we will be competitive. We had a good hour against England here last year.

“We played well in certain areas, but England are like France, if you drop off the pace or the concentration goes they have quality right through the team that will kill you.

“What we have to do is play with that concerted focus to make them work and play under pressure for the whole 80 minutes.

“With the plusses of the first half against Wales we have to take that on and put as much pressure as possible on them.”