Georgia now have 8 consecutive Rugby Europe Championship titles. They are clearly the best team in the Rugby Europe Championship, but are they good enough to enter into the 6 Nations? Or do we need a 7 Nations? Or a complete shake up to replicate a similar model to the Euro Championships or Nations League model in Football?
World Rankings would argue in their favour, they have jumped the woeful Wales, and narrowing the gap to Italy in 10th. But can rankings be enough to force a change? Sadly not, Georgia are no stranger in jumping 6 nations teams in the rankings while they are on their own blistering winning streaks, and a 6 nations team are on a slump. That team is usually Italy though and there has always been noise about whether Italy are ever good enough to be at the top table since their inclusion. Italy have really benefited from the step up and now have a clear development path into the senior team and this can now be seen in teams like Benetton putting in striking performances in European competition.
However, the formerly mighty Wales are now dragged into the conversation and on a 17th successive losing streak at the time of writing. A minor resurgence off the back of Gatland’s departure, ended the 6 Nations with an absolute shocker against England in their own backyard. I think there is no doubt in current form, Georgia will beat Wales in whatever format of a play off. That is exactly why this will never happen! Rugby is stuck in a serious funding related bubble at the minute, and losing a member of the old guard would potentially bring the game to its knees financially (especially in Wales).
It is well documented that the WRU and Regions are in a serious financial struggle, and the whispering in hallways about reducing to 3 regions from 4. This would be crippling for a weak WRU support already, and the clear disconnect from the Pro and Amateur game in Wales. Sam Warburton said the other day that they should drop to 3 regions in Wales, but I don’t know how that will help the game apart from potentially strengthen the National team marginally. The players, staff and fans that lose their livelihood in whatever region would not be supported as, there wouldn’t really be anywhere for them to go. The WRU needs a full restructure and rebuild from top to bottom to bring them back to their previous highs.
Is it best to do that rebuild during a period in the Rugby Europe Championship or in an expanded 6 nations? Well, commercial interests and the size of the Principality stadium do not want or need a period in the REC. Even with how much I love and admire the Rugby Europe Championship as a rugby spectacle it does not command the commercial or attendances that the 6 Nations do. Dates and locations of future matches are left to be confirmed far too late, which does not allow Rugby fans or non locals to schedule trips a year or so ahead. The 6 Nations know exactly where its going to be pretty much a year ahead, that’s why so many fans love going to Italy, because they get to plan a trip to Rome every year which is cost effective and a great atmosphere to match.
Unfortunately, to get to Tbilisi from any of the 6 Nations and the Rugby Europe Championship locations, you are looking at at least 1 stop or in most occasions 2. This does not make travelling to Tbilisi easy for fans or players, unless they use a private jet. Which then goes back to the commercial lack in rugby. and the environmental impact in the use of private charters for teams. The die hard fan will travel anywhere and everywhere, so there is not doubt that fans would make it, but this has to be a factor in the decision around the powers that be dragging their heels around the inclusion of Georgia or any other team into the 6 nations model.
Next argument would be around the ever increasing fixture schedule, while the aim is to reduce the demand put on the players at the elite level. And increasing the 6 nations to 7 would create extra fixtures into the middle of the season, and the domestic clubs having to accomodate a longer period without their superstars. This can be a positive and negative to the domestic game, as it allows other players to develop with critical game time. However, the Georgian team and most of the Rugby Europe sides are now filled with players plying their trade in the French divisions. The French domestic clubs do not give a monkeys about the International scene, when it comes at a determent to their own benefit. Which would impact the player availability of the best players in the Rugby Europe Championship teams.
If we want Rugby to grow throughout Europe and beyond, we need the Tier 2 and 3 Nations an opportunity to play against the best. The start of this won’t be pretty as could be seen even with Switzerland playing Georgia in the first game of the tournament, where they suffered that 110 - 0 defeat but look how they ended the tournament. Being able to play against the best, drives everyone to be better. This can be seen with the lower teams in football, where the likes of San Marino were getting beaten 10 - 0 or more, now they are competing and usually only get beaten 6-0 by the biggest teams. While being able ot pick up wins and draws against the other teams nearer them. This affect has been clear in the progression of Italian rugby too.
I and many would love to see Georgia in the 6 nations but there are too many factors that will allow them to be included. Unless a bigger solution is found to achieve competitive rugby across European Nations. Or a breakaway league like the LIV Golf series. Discuss in the comments, would be great to hear everyone elses opinions!