"No brainer" - Joe Marler calls for serious format change to Six Nations

RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content 

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Un an exclusive chat with Jim Hamilton on The Big Jim Show podcast, Youngs 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."

Marler agrees with Youngs, saying: "It should be five weeks as well" when acknowledging Martin Bayfield's article on Six Nations coverage.

BARNES SAID: “Richie always had the knack of asking the right question at the right time, sometimes it felt like I was losing a little bit of control. Contrary to popular belief, he didn’t talk a lot on the field. He knew the law book inside out and so when he asked a question, he often had a point.”

OWENS SAID: "If anybody had to pick the greatest player in history, it would surely be a difficult choice between him and Gareth Edwards."

OWENS SAID: “Oh god yes. He’s so focused and so passionate about what he’s doing, we’ve had a few run ins on the pitch down the years. I mean, it’s always been in a respectful way as we always have a drink and a laugh after the game.”

DID YOU KNOW? Biggar has his own routine before kicking goals, which fans now call "The Biggarena" after Los Del Rio's 1995 hit, Macarena.

BARNES SAID: “I was always petrified of him because he was coming to the end of his career when I started in the Premiership. 2003 was my first [season] and obviously that was towards the end of his career and I remember I had to sin-bin him once and I actually apologised as I did it. I said ‘I’m very sorry I have to do this’ because he’s such a big personality. I guess he was always someone who scared me witless!”

DID YOU KNOW? Under his management England won the 2011 Six Nations Championship, their first since 2003

OWENS SAID: “Definitely. I only caught him towards the end of his career, thankfully. A wonderfully talented player and a very good pundit now, but he always had plenty say and quickly assumed I didn’t like him. He’s actually blocked me on Twitter, but I don’t think I’m the only one.”

DID YOU KNOW? He is a famously competitive and "outspoken" character, gaining the nickname "The Leicester Lip"

OWENS SAID: “Itoje is someone who plays right on the edge. That is what makes him such a great player. He must be so difficult to play against but he’s also difficult to referee and I mean that with the utmost respect."

BARNES SAID: "The hardest players are the best players,”