WALES will be gunning for a five-point haul when they kick off their RBS 6 Nations campaign in Rome next year.

The Six Nations Council yesterday announced that bonus points will be trialled in the men’s, women’s and Under-20s tournaments.

The experiment will be reviewed at the end of the campaigns but bosses have said the decision has been made “to encourage and reward try-scoring and attacking play”.

Sceptics point to the imbalance of the tournament that sees three teams have the advantage of a trio of home fixtures and two away, England, Scotland and Italy in 2017.

The same format as the World Cup, Guinness Pro12, European tournaments and Aviva Premiership will be used with four match points for a victory – it was two last year – with an added extra for crossing four times or more.

Losing teams can gain the try bonus plus another for a deficit of seven points or less. A draw is now worth two points rather than one.

In order to ensure a Grand Slam winner still claims the trophy, a further three points will be awarded for winning all five games.

Six Nations chairman Pat Whelan said: "We have been looking at the feasibility of a bonus point system for a while and examining what kind of bonus point system would work best, given the unique properties and format of our Championships.

"We needed to ensure that whatever bonus point system we selected would work with the already proven structure of the Championships, and would serve to materially improve what is already there.

"We are happy that the system that we have decided to trial is the one best-suited to our Championships, and we are delighted to be going ahead with this new development.

"We believe that the initiative will enhance our competitions for fans, teams, broadcasters and all of those for whom the Championship means so much."

And Six Nations chief executive John Feehan added: "The drama and excitement of the last weekend of the RBS 6 Nations Championship is unique, and is, more often than not, driven by a number of teams on equal Championship points all competing for first place on the table.

"It is important for us to ensure that any bonus point system which is implemented would not, in any way, take away from this unique dynamic.

"At the same time, we are also conscious that we must reward try-scoring and an attacking style of play that will deliver more tries and greater rewards for fans and players alike.

"We are very excited about the potential that this new development will bring to the Championships, and we look forward to trialling it next February and March."

Wales start in Rome on Sunday, February 5 before welcoming holders England to Cardiff the following Saturday. Rob Howley’s side then head to Scotland, host Ireland and finish in France.