A bonus-point system will be implemented on a trial basis in the 2017 Six Nations.

As part of their review of the tournament, the Six Nations council decided to introduce a bonus-point system to encourage and reward try-scoring and attacking play.

Competition points will be awarded in all matches on the following basis:

• The team that wins the match shall be awarded four match points or (if it scores four tries or more in the process) five match points. Previously, only two points were awarded for a win.
• The team that loses the match shall be awarded no match points or (if it scores four tries or more in the process or loses by a margin of seven points or fewer) one match point or (if it scores four tries or more in the process and loses by a margin of seven points or fewer) two match points.
• Teams that draw a match shall each be awarded two match points and any of them that scores four tries or more in the process shall be awarded a further one match point.
• A team that wins all five of its matches (a 'Grand Slam') shall be awarded a further three match points.

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