Welsh Bonus Points

The Welsh Rugby Union has decided that results in all competitions will count towards the final placings of teams in the domestic Welsh League this season.

It will avoid a repeat of last season when some Welsh clubs were accused of playing down other competitions in order to concentrate on claiming a Heineken Cup place through Welsh League victories.

This time, a club could struggle domestically but rocket up the domestic table thanks to European, Celtic and Principality Cup performances.

For instance, if a Welsh team were to win the Heineken Cup, they will also earn an extra 14 points in the Welsh League table.

Almost as many points will be on offer for getting through each of the later stages of the Celtic League and Principality Cup.

While performances in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup will not rank quite as highly, points will be earned from that and even the Parker Pen Shield - what is effectively now the third tier of European competition.

It all may even mean that the new season will see two teams involved in classic 'six-pointer' clashes in one of the cup competitions, as well as in the league.

What is certain is that coaches, players, fans and commentators will all be reaching for their calculators as the season nears its climax.

Bonus points scoring
(all stages cumulative):

Heineken Cup:
Quarter-final appearance 3pts; semi-final 3pts; final 3pts; win final 5pts.

Celtic League:
Quarter-final 3pts; semi-final 3pts; final 3pts; win final 3pts.

Parker Pen Cup:
Quarter-final 2pts; semi-final 2pts; final 2pts; win final 3pts.

Parker Pen Shield:
Quarter-final 1pt; semi-final 1pt; final 1pt; win final 2pts.

Principality Cup:
Semi-final 3pts; final 3pts; win final 3pts.

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