Rugby Europe Pushes For Six Nations Expansion

13 Mar 2017 | tshego

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Rugby Europe has stepped up its efforts to revamp the Six Nations by submitting a formal request to open the tournament to other counties.

The governing body voted unanimously to open dialogue with the organiser of the tournament. Rugby Europe has agreed to send an official letter to the holding company with a view to opening up the competition.

Currently France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Italy are part of the annual competition. In recent months Italy’s position in the annual event has come under scrutiny as the team slipped below Georgia in the world rankings.

A number of options were on the table, according to president Octavian Morariu, including a potential promotion and relegation system in the Six Nations, as well as a play-off system.

Morariu, a former Romanian international, said.”The development of rugby in Europe entails each Union having the opportunity to play regularly with the best teams in order to raise standards.

“Promotion and relegation system belongs to Rugby Europe ethical code in all our competitions.

“It is not about punishing a specific team because of its results in the tournament. We don’t want to compromise what has been achieved until now, but opening a dialogue seems to us crucial for the benefit of all.

“On a sports point of view considering the development and future of our sport; for economic consideration as Europe cannot be limited to six countries; and finally, politically, because we are a continent whose official governing body is Rugby Europe.

“We are open to consider all alternatives, either a direct relegation, the insertion of an annual or every two-year play-off system; the integration of one or two teams or the setup of a real European competition.

“We are aware this process will require time to build a common project and achieve it; but we need to start a real collaboration in the interests of European rugby growth.”