Back in the early days of rugby union, a try used to be worth zero points. Crossing 'the whitewash' merely allowed the successful team the chance of a pot at goal.
In the late nineteenth century, what they really valued was goal-kicks. You could have scored ten tries in a game, but if your kicker had a really bad day, it was all for nothing.
Gradually it changed. By the middle of the century, the try had earned parity with the penalty goal. When Gordon Hamilton slid over the line to give Ireland the lead in the closing stages against Australia in the 1991 World Cup, his bursting run was worth four points to his team.
Now, the Welsh Principality Premiership are trialling a plan where a try is to be worth six points. Penalties and drop goals, meanwhile, will be downgraded to just two points apiece. The rationale behind the alteration is obvious - they want to encourage attacking rugby.
The response to plan may be mixed. Ronan O'Gara will be probably be glad he retired before the changes came in and Munster may have won less under the proposed changes, but many will welcome the greater incentives towards going for broke.
Read more: Sad Day: The Entire Munster XV From The 2006 Heineken Cup Final Have Now Left The Club
