World Cup set to expand by 2023

– The Rugby World Cup could be expanded to include 24 teams from the current 20 by the 2023 tournament in France, World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper has said.

The sport’s global showpiece has featured 20 teams since the 1999 tournament in Wales and the same number will compete next year in Japan.

“We’re aways looking from an expansive point of view rather than reducing, so it’s just a question of when rather than if,” Gosper told British media.

“We want to make sure the teams are competitive enough to move to a 24team tournament. We have assumed 20 for 2023 but we could change that between now and 2023.

“The tendency is to try and expand – to grow the global game.” – Reuters

Melbourne