Women's leagues get a bonus

Bonus points will be introduced into all women's leagues next season.

The bonus point system has been part of the top level leagues in men's and women's rugby for some years now, but for more "recreational" rugby the "two points for a win" system has remained. From next season this will be replaced with four points for a win, plus bonuses for four tries and losing by seven points or less. The idea is to encourage attacking rugby, and also give teams something to play for right up to the end of the game. The system will also be used in the World Cup.

At present the change only applies to senior rugby - but obviously there is nothing to stop it being used in the junior game, either in the main leagues or in tournaments (Herts Sevens has already used the system for most years since we hosted it at Letchworth.)