How the PREM table would look under the French bonus point system

Teams receiving try bonus points while being soundly beaten has led to renewed calls in recent weeks for an overhaul of the current bonus point system used in the Gallagher Prem for more than 20 years.

Bristol have profited in each of the last two rounds, picking up try bonus points despite not being at the races against Saracens, a 41-26 defeat at home, and in last weekend’s record 94-33 loss to league leaders Northampton.

In an excellent article on the current state of play, Charlie Morgan of The Times has highlighted how the current bonus point system is no longer fit for purpose, as it allows the side well in front to switch off and for the game to descend into a free-for-all.

Currently in the PREM, teams scoring four tries get a try bonus point whether they win or lose, whereas in France’s Top 14 they are only rewarded in this respect if they win by scoring three or more tries than the opposition.

The losing bonus point criteria also differs, with finer margins at play across the channel. Instead of receiving a losing bonus point for finishing within seven points, Top 14 teams have to be within five points to get rewarded for their efforts.

Gallagher Premiership

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Northampton

16

13

2

1

67

2

Bath

16

12

4

0

63

3

Leicester

16

12

4

0

62

4

Exeter Chiefs

16

9

6

1

55

5

Saracens

16

9

7

0

52

6

Bristol

16

10

6

0

50

7

Sale

16

4

12

0

29

8

Harlequins

16

5

11

0

26

9

Gloucester

16

4

12

0

25

10

Newcastle

16

1

15

0

7

While it would be a generational change, and one set to be adopted by the Champ next season, according to Morgan, the reality is that the PREM table wouldn’t have looked massively different – other than in the race for the final play-off spot – had the different bonus point system been in play this season.

Obviously teams might have adopted different tactics had that been the case, so no firm conclusions can be made by comparing tables with the current bonus system and the one used in France because of this.

Leicester’s 47-33 win at Sale yesterday is a case in point. With the bonus-point win well and try sewn up, the Tigers switched off and conceded three unanswered tries in the final quarter to give the final scoreline an unfairly close complexion.

Under the French system, Leicester’s laxness would have cost them a point because the final overall try count was only 7-5 in their favour, while Sale, as the losing team, would have ended up with nothing despite crossing the whitewash five times.

Nevertheless, we thought it would be an interesting exercise to see which teams would be most affected, good or bad, and, ironically, Bristol are one of the main beneficiaries.

While Northampton, Bath and Leicester have secured their place in the play-offs, and would still have done so with two rounds of the regular season left under the French system, the Bears are clinging onto slim hopes they can claim a place in the last four ahead of rivals Exeter and Saracens.

After two straight losses, the Bears are currently five points adrift of the top four in sixth place with a home game against Bath and a trip to Sale to come.

However, under the French bonus point system they’d have been in the box seat: level on points with Exeter, and in front of Saracens by three points, and placed fourth by virtue of the fact that they’ve won more games.

The Chiefs and Saracens would be 10 points worse off compared to Bristol’s five, with both taking a double hit of losing a try and losing bonus point in the same game twice.

Instead of picking up two points, Exeter would have drawn a blank in the 33-26 defeat at Bath in January and the 35-28 loss at home to Saints in April. The same applies to Saracens’ game in rounds six and seven, the home defeats to Bath (36-29) and Exeter (30-24).

In the revised table, Leicester would be level on points with Bath and guaranteed a top three finish, as there would be an 11-point buffer between themselves and the sides chasing the last play-off spot rather than seven, as things stand.

Also, the top eight qualification picture for the Investec Champions Cup would look a little different, with Gloucester having to make up a four-point deficit to ensure a place in the top tier competition, whereas at the moment they are only one point behind Quins.

The PREM table after 16 rounds, using the French BP system:

1. Northampton – 60 (7)
2. Bath – 56 (7)
3. Leicester – 56 (6)
4. Bristol – 45 (5)
5. Exeter – 45 (10)
6. Saracens – 42 (10)
7. Sale – 24 (5)
8. Harlequins – 22 (4)
9. Gloucester – 18 (7)
10. Newcastle – 5 (2)

(points lost in brackets)