Despite the inaugrual edition of the World Rugby Nations Championship having yet to take place, the plans for expansion are already mapped out.
Taking place every two years, the World Rugby Nations Championship will host matchups between the six best from the North and the South in its current format.
While still in its infancy, World Rugby are already looking at ways to tinker with and improve the proposed format for the new competition, as they look to help the game grow across the globe.
Currently, it would be fair to say that the 12 nations included are the most deserving, with all of the teams taking part featuring in the top 12 of the World Rankings.
However, as the sport continues to increase its global interest, more emerging nations will be knocking on the door to get involved in and compete with the World's best.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the current plans for the expansion of the new World Rugby Nations Championship.
World Rugby Nations Championship plans for expansion
Currently, 12 teams - six representing the Northern Hemisphere and six representing the South - compete across the two main international windows of the season (June and November) in six matches.
Each Northern team will face each Southern team once, with three played at home and three matches played away from home, culminating in a finals weekend.
Current plans being mention surround an expansion to 24 teams in the near future, opening up opportunities for a number of rugby's minnows to get involved.
The idea, which would incorporate relegations and promotions from the second tier competition, could be vital in the growth of the sport across numerous nations and continents.
Relegation and promotion could be incorporated as soon as 2030, with emerging rugby nations like Georgia, Portugal and Zimbabwe all likely to be interested in inclusion.
