Sir Clive Woodward has reignited one of rugby\u2019s most contentious debates by calling for\u00a0promotion and relegation to be introduced into the Six Nations, arguing that the historic tournament urgently needs greater jeopardy.<\/p>\n
The World Cup-winning former England head coach believes the competition\u2019s closed-shop format no longer serves the wider game and has proposed a\u00a0two-legged play-off between the bottom-placed Six Nations side and the winner of the Rugby Europe Championship.<\/p>\n
Join RUCK\u2019s Instagram broadcast channel <\/a>and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not a new debate. But I\u2019m all in favour of promotion and relegation in the Six Nations,\u201d Woodward wrote.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWhoever finishes bottom in each year\u2019s Championship should face a two-legged play-off (home and away) against the winner of Rugby Europe. It\u2019s a no-brainer and would bring some welcome jeopardy to the tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n With\u00a0Wales currently propping up the table, Woodward accepts they would be most at risk under such a system \u2014 but insists the pressure could be beneficial rather than damaging.<\/p>\n \u201cWales are currently the Championship\u2019s strugglers and wouldn\u2019t welcome a play-off. But such a scenario would actually benefit them,\u201d he said. Although Georgia have regressed since the 2023 World Cup and recently parted ways with head coach Richard Cockerill, Woodward argues that form fluctuations should not deny ambitious nations access to the top table.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a shame that Georgia have gone backwards, but that doesn\u2019t mean they, or any of their rivals, should be denied a shot at the highest level.\u201d<\/p>\n Warburton: \u2018No One Has a God-Given Right\u2019<\/p>\n Woodward\u2019s stance has found strong backing from\u00a0Sam Warburton, the former Wales and British & Irish Lions captain, who has long supported the idea of a relegation play-off \u2014 even when Wales are the team under threat.<\/p>\n Speaking on the\u00a0Rugby Union Weekly\u00a0podcast, Warburton addressed accusations of changing his tune now that Wales are struggling.<\/p>\n \u201cI bet there\u2019s some people listening thinking, \u2018I bet you don\u2019t want a relegation battle now, Sam, do you?\u2019\u201d Warburton said. Warburton rejected the idea that Six Nations status should be protected by tradition alone.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sat on my perch saying Wales are untouchable,\u201d he added. He also highlighted the spectacle and opportunity such a contest would bring.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Wales had to play Georgia in a play-off, that would be brilliant TV,\u201d Warburton said. Jonathan Davies: \u2018Georgia Deserve a Pop\u2019<\/p>\n Former Wales centre\u00a0Jonathan Davies\u00a0has echoed Warburton\u2019s views, arguing that fairness demands consistency \u2014 regardless of which nation is finishing bottom.<\/p>\n \u201cBack when Italy were always finishing last I felt a play-off was the right thing to do, so I can\u2019t change my mind now because Wales are bottom,\u201d Davies said. Davies believes a structured pathway between Tier One and Tier Two would strengthen European rugby as a whole.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the top of Tier Two goes to whoever finishes bottom of the Six Nations and wins, they should get in,\u201d he said. EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n The Six Nations stadiums ranked from best atmosphere to worst:<\/p>\n Some grounds crackle with passion from first whistle to last, while others struggle to lift. Here, we rank the Six Nations stadiums from worst to best based purely on atmosphere.<\/p>\n 6 Aviva Stadium (Ireland)<\/p>\n Despite being one of the most modern venues in the Six Nations, the Aviva Stadium often struggles to generate a consistent atmosphere. Over the past decade, this issue has become increasingly noticeable, largely due to the growing number of corporate tickets. As a result, the once-passionate partisan edge has softened, with noise coming from isolated pockets rather than the stadium as a whole.<\/p>\n Iconic chants such as Fields of Athenry are now rarely sustained, and the all-seater design has removed the raw energy once provided by terraces. Ireland\u2019s recent success, built on an efficient and pragmatic playing style, may also play a role \u2014 effective, but not always electrifying. Combined with a shift towards a more family-oriented crowd, the Aviva\u2019s atmosphere often feels subdued compared to its Six Nations counterparts.<\/p>\n 5 Stadio Olimpico (Italy)<\/p>\n Originally built for athletics and football, the Stadio Olimpico was never designed with rugby in mind. Since Italy\u2019s inclusion in the Six Nations in 2000, however, it has served as the Azzurri\u2019s home, offering a unique setting beneath Rome\u2019s iconic skyline.<\/p>\n Italian fans are loyal and passionate, but frequent defeats mean they often have limited moments to fully unleash their support. This lack of sustained success keeps the atmosphere from reaching higher levels. That said, the backing is unquestionably partisan, and with signs of improvement in the Italian squad, the volume may well increase in the years to come.<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
\u201cCountries like Georgia, Portugal and Spain deserve a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I said this when Italy were losing every year \u2014 there should be a play-off.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not think any home nation has a God-given right to have the cash cow of the Six Nations without any jeopardy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe opportunity for Georgia would be amazing rugby.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI agree with Sam. Georgia deserve to have a pop at this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s only fair.\u201d<\/p>\n