"Drags on" - Ben Youngs calls for change to outdated Six Nations format - Ruck

“Drags on” – Ben Youngs calls for change to outdated Six Nations format

Ben Youngs, the seasoned former England scrum-half, has thrown his weight behind a seismic shake-up for the Six Nations tournament.

RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content powered by ISUZU.

In an exclusive chat with Jim Hamilton on The Big Jim Show podcast, the 34-year-old stalwart, boasting a remarkable 20 test tries under his belt since his debut in 2010, didn’t mince words.

Traditionally, the Six Nations has been a grueling seven-week affair, with each team locked in a round-robin showdown against their five rivals.

But Youngs, the most capped player in England’s illustrious history, is adamant: it’s time for a change.

“The Six Nations shouldn’t drag on for eight weeks. Let’s trim it down to five, pack it with action, and give players a breather afterwards,” he declared.

“With a tighter schedule, you’d see better ratings and a lot more nail-biting drama.”

Bold words from a seasoned campaigner, but will his plea for brevity find favor among rugby’s power brokers? Only time will tell.

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Highest-paid rugby players:

Breaking records and raising eyebrows, these players are leading the charge in the financial stakes of rugby union. Here’s the rundown of the top earners in the game according to The Scotsman:

Siya Kolisi – £850,000

The South African skipper boasts an impressive resume with two Rugby World Cup triumphs and a commendable third-place finish. At French powerhouse Racing 92, Kolisi has been commanding a salary of £850,000, but with the recent arrival of Owen Farrell, he might be eyeing a bump in his paycheck.

Siya Kolisi, Captain of South Africa during the Test Match between New Zealand and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on August 25th 2023. – PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Faf De Klerk – £900,000

De Klerk, another key figure in South Africa’s World Cup-winning squad, has made his mark in Japan. Playing for the Yokohama Canon Eagles, he’s banking a cool £900,000 annually, showcasing the global appeal of rugby’s top talents.

Faf de Klerk of Sale Sharks during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks at Sandy Park on 6 March 2022. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

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