Closed shop is no way to grow game in Europe

Straight out of the gate, it would be unreasonable to expect Wales to agree to a November play-off against Georgia that could bind them to relegation from the Six Nations. At the same time, Georgia have played an absolute blinder.

Some respectful, yet punchy social media posts have caused the right kind of stir, with Piers Morgan highlighting the story to his 8.7million followers on X. Rugby union does not often manage this type of cut-through.

Two things can be true at once. The Six Nations is a fantastic competition. But there must be a drive to grow the game in Europe. One way to do this is expansion. Georgia’s consistent success in Rugby Europe would justify incorporation into a Seven Nations.

You could make the top tier into a two-pool, eight-team affair with Portugal and keep the tournament as a five-match schedule with two play-off games to yield a 1-8 ranking. The danger would be the possibility of a year without one of the traditional, money-spinning rivalries taking place.

A relegation play-off is probably the halfway house that engages second-tier teams while stopping the Six Nations being a closed shop. Two years ago, while head coach of Romania, Andy Robinson suggested the play-off would be invaluable. It would incentivise greater investment in the second tier as well, because bigger nations may need to spend a year there at some stage.

The solution is to solidify the second tier, present a potential path to the top table and, ultimately, to support the sport’s growth. Georgia’s press release, and their desire for a dust-up against Wales, underlines this.