The log jam of teams in the bottom half of South West 1 has led many to recommend a bonus points scoring sytem.

Competitions such as the Premiership and National League enable winning teams to increase their points from four to five by scoring four tries.

Losing teams also pick up points for scoring four tries and if the margin of defeat is seven or less.

With three teams going down and potentially two being promoted from a league of 12 like South West 1, maybe this would be a fairer way of separating the sides?

Julia Hutton, RFU press officer for the south west, said there were many reasons to have two points per win.

She said: "For starters it is because there has not been enough demand for this to be considered yet below national level. Currently bonus points only go down as far as level 4 (National 3).

"Another consideration is that if the RFU start introducing this, at what level do they stop, considering how many leagues there are?

"Also below level 4, referees work in isolation.

"They do not have touch judges, fourth officials and their matches are not videoed, so it would be putting extra pressure on the referee as well as the administrators.

"It is a matter that can be discussed and considered by the RFU's competitions committee though."