Should The Six Nations Revert To Being Five Nations

[Theblip]

Still no sign of Italy ever being a serious force, so should they be kicked into touch?

[davebro]

they can make it no nations for me I hate rugby!

[Khandro]

No! They need encouragement & maybe backing to get some better players. & is also a good number.

[Khandro]

six

[EdmundD]

No

[DTCwordfan]

No - but a second division with a home/away final between Div 2 winners versus the wooden spoonists should become the means to promotion/relegation.

[emmie]

no, they can play but their defence needs a lot of work.

[Mozz71]

They've shown little sign of improvement over the last 21 years. I'm for DTC's division 2 idea. Let them play with the likes of Romania and Georgia, where they have a chance to win some games.

[DTCwordfan]

there's plenty of up and coming talent for a Div 2 especially with some composite teams.

Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia,
Iberian Peninsula
Scandinavia
Benelux (& Germany)

[Mozz71]

You could even include some North African countries in that list DTC: Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia...

[DTCwordfan]

In fact, just make it North Africa as Egypt and Algeria play too.

[DTCwordfan]

and the Balkans, Albania and Greece (though they would probably implode!)

[Mozz71]

I think with more like for like competition, the lesser nations will improve in time. It's certainly worked for the likes of Argentina and Japan in recent years. It just seems that throwing Italy into the deep end stifled their potential growth, and must destroy their confidence to be constantly thrashed.

[DTCwordfan]

though, as the commentators said today, with the number of 19-21 players being blooded by the Italians and if they could hold on to them, they could be laying down the basis of a much better team down the line. Also what's need is an Italian 'Premier' League and the structure of Nat 1 through Nat 3 N&S.....

[Mozz71]

To be fair, the way England have performed this year, they could probably stand a few games against the smaller nations too.

[fbg40]

DTC
Why not just call it The World Cup ??
FBG40

[Peter Pedant]

kick poor italy out
no rename

five nations and one annual shog-fest

[Peter Pedant]

what about Rhodie ex-pats sort of like London irish

I mean they have one van der merve who cant exactly be the son of Brigid O'reilly can he?

[Peter Pedant]

Poor italy - they didnt do too well in the war
and as for Musso ending up hanging up side down - the side cd be renamed thw Wuhan Wanderers - - innit?

[ToraToraTora]

mozz, why don't you remind us which is the only team that Italy have not beaten?

[waterboatman]

Italy improve slowly, year by year, for some reason they have a high turn over of players.