WHAT kind of system is it when the winners of a prestigious new competition might not be the team with the most victories during the season?

Yet that is exactly what could happen in the Celtic League this week when it reaches a thrilling climax.

Friday is the final day of the competition, and the title could still go three different ways.

Llanelli Scarlets and Ulster, who meet at Stradey Park, could both take the crown, and so could Newport Gwent Dragons hundreds of miles away in Dublin.

But if the Dragons beat Leinster yet fail to land the title ahead of either of their rivals the trophy will go to a team with fewer victories. For the Dragons have won one more game than the Scarlets and Ulster, and if it stays that way yet they don't win the title it will be a farce.

Rules are rules and they have been laid down since the start of the season, so everyone knows the score, that much is true.

But though the bonus points system operates elsewhere in rugby, is that the fairest way of operating a league?

For once rugby should take a leaf out of football and decide everything on wins, losses and draws - no silly bonus points system here.

Can you imagine the uproar if, say Arsenal, win the Premiership, yet Manchester United win more games in second place? It just wouldn't be tolerated.

And the whole bonus points system is so open to abuse anyway given that at least two of the Irish teams don't take the competition that seriously.

Until Ireland decide to make qualification for the Heineken Cup through the Celtic League it will always be flawed to a degree.

For Munster and Leinster sometimes turn up with a full team and sometimes they don't - Brian O'Driscoll, for example, has played just five times for Leinster this season, and not once at home.

And bonus points can be earned by one Welsh team against a scratch Leinster or Munster team, maybe, while another find it almost impossible when they decide to put a full strength side on the pitch.

Yet the title is decided by a bonus points system. If the Dragons win in Dublin on Friday night yet fail to land the title they will have every right to feel aggrieved.