Sam Warburton believes Wales have become "complacent" and should enter a play-off for their spot in the Six Nations. Wales picked up the wooden spoon in this year's tournament after losing all five of their games. Warren Gatland's side has hit rock-bottom, but with no jeopardy with regards to being relegated from the Six Nations, former Wales captain Warburton has questioned whether complacency has crept in at the Welsh Rugby Union. The notion of a play-off match between the bottom-placed team in the Six Nations and the top team in the Rugby Europe Championship has long-been proffered, particularly given the dominance of Georgia in that second-tier tournament in recent years. SIGN UP: Get the new exclusive Inside Welsh rugby newsletter for full insight into what's really going on around all the big issues. This special offer will get you full access for the entire year for just £10 instead of £40. That argument has been trumpeted when, for years,
Italy were nailed on to be the bottom-placed team in the Six Nations. However, the Italians have showed some real growth and progression at this year's tournament, having beaten Wales and
Scotland as well as earning a hard-fought draw with
France, too. Wales were the worst team in the tournament by some margin this year, but Warburton still holds firm in his belief that the holders of the wooden spoon should be made to play for their Six Nations status. "I was asked the other day whether I still hold the same view about relegation from the Six Nations now that Italy are doing so much better and Wales are not — and I do," former Wales captain Warburton wrote in his Times column. "I do not think any home nation has a God-given right to have the cash cow of the Six Nations without any jeopardy. Maybe Wales have become complacent with their business model simply because they know they are going to be in the Six Nations for ever. If they knew there was the threat of relegation, maybe they would be more conscientious in ensuring that all aspects of their operation are spot on. "If Wales had to play Georgia in a play-off this summer, that would be brilliant. I know it won’t ever happen, and maybe I am looking at this as a fan rather than a businessman, but I stick by my contention that there should be a play-off every year." Listen to the latest Welsh rugby podcast The argument has been strengthened by Georgia winning their seventh consecutive Rugby Europe Championship. Head coach Richard Cockerill believes his side, who beat Portugal 36-10 in
Paris on Sunday night, are now "too good" for the tournament. Georgia claimed wins over current Six Nations teams Wales and Italy in 2022 and many believe they deserve at least a shot at
BREAKING into the top tier. However, while Cockerill said he believed his side were too good for their tournament, he doesn't think they are Six Nations standard just yet. "With respect to all the other teams we are probably too good for this tournament and at the moment maybe we’re not quite good enough to be dining at the same table as the Super Rugby teams or the (UR) Championship teams or the Six Nations," Cockerill said. “There’s a real balance there where we just need to try, the politicians above me will decide where is best for us to play moving forward at some point. The thing we have got to do is just keep improving and playing a good brand of rugby and being as successful as we can.”