THE new scoring system is just two rounds old but it is already endangering the Principality Premiership season – and making the referee’s task even more thankless.

The experiment of six points for a try and two for penalties and drop goals, which is being trialled for World Rugby, is at risk of turning the campaign into one to forget. A number of the guinea pigs are already restless and, at the risk of being seen as a Luddite, I’m not a fan.

I ventured to Eugene Cross Park as a spectator last Saturday to watch the Ebbw Vale versus Newport and the system made the derby feel slightly fake.

The game couldn’t tick along with three-pointers while the absence of odd numbers on the scoreboard prevented to-and-fro.

Perhaps when things settle down and the weather closes in there will be more shots at goal but at the moment the tee stays on the sidelines at the expense of driving lineouts.

And, worst of all, the officials are centre stage rather than the 30 players; now it’s even more significant how the man with the whistle deals with infringements and how quickly he goes to the pocket.

The aim of the experimental laws is to encourage expansive play and increase ball in play time but a by-product will be the importance of ‘winning’ yellow cards.

Expect more and more chirping in the ears of the officials in a bid to see an opponent sent to the sin bin, perhaps even players brandishing imaginary cards like in football.

There are good aspects – being able to go to touch from a penalty after time expired is an excellent change – but one fears cheats will prosper under the experiment.

However, it is just that, an experiment.

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have to draw a line under what was an incredibly frustrating Friday evening at Rodney Parade.

It would be easy to let the Zebre result – a victory, even if it felt like a loss – eat away at them. Every time they look at the Guinness Pro12 table they will feel that they should have another point on their total.

The sad truth is that they weren’t even close to adding an extra to their four-point haul such was their wastefulness but it’s gone now and a good result at either Leinster or Glasgow would be the perfect tonic.