The Six Nations tournament will use bonus points on a permanent basis from this year after a successful 12 month trial period, according to a report on The Telegraph.
The bonus point system was first used in the Six Nations last year and has been seen as a successful addition to the sport.
Bonus points are awarded to a side when they score more than four tries or for losing by seven points or fewer. The trial period was meant to continue for the 2018 and 2019 tournaments but the decision has been made to make it a permanent addition.
Last year, none of the final results were affected by bonus points, with a total of 11 bonus points being awarded.
The Six Nations Chief Executive John Feehan is a huge supporter of the bonus points system and is pleased with its success so far.
He said:
We are going to retain bonus points for the foreseeable future. We have reviewed it, considered it and decided to keep them. We said originally we would trial it for three years. We are one year in and have pretty much already made that decision.
We believe on balance it worked quite well. If nothing else it is a change in mindset and I feel that is the positive out of it.
The tournament begins on 3 February, with Wales taking on Scotland in the tournament opener. England face Italy a day later.
