Brown open to adding nations

ENGLAND CEO Steve Brown has told Europe’s chiefs to have more of an ‘open mind’ about opening up the Six Nations.

Tournament boss John Feehan claims it will take 15 years for emerging nations to make a case for promotion and relegation.

Feehan has consistently rejected calls for Georgia to be invited into the tournament — despite attracting crowds of 60,000 in Tbilisi and being ranked above Italy.

With World Rugby holding no say, pressure from the competition’s leading members will be the most effective way to force change.

‘We need to keep an open mind,’ said Brown. ‘The world keeps changing, the fan base keeps changing and becoming more sophisticated and changing and developing a whole range of ways the game is played at the most senior level.’