Six Nations Chief Executive Responds To Calls For Georgia To Enter Competition

We won’t be seeing Georgia in the Six Nations anytime soon.

The ambitious rugby nation have recently overtook Italy in the world rankings, and after dominating the Rugby Europe Championship for the best part of a decade, now want a crack at the top tier of European Rugby.

Six Nations chief executive John Feehan however, has shot down any chance of Georgia joining the elite competition, stating there are no vacancies, ruling out any changes for at least 10-15 years.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Feehan said:

“It is a closed competition, owned and controlled by the six unions concerned. There is no vacancy. Right now we are perfectly happy that we have the six strongest teams in Europe in our competition.

“Are we closed to every scenario? No, but it takes a while to see a convincing argument — 10 or 15 years. We have to take a good, considered view about what is right for our six unions. They would all have to agree that this is what they want. At this stage, talk of bringing in other teams is premature.”

Also speaking to the Mail, World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said there’s nothing they can do in this situation as the Six Nations is owned by the countries involved and not the governing body.

“What we have to do at World Rugby is enhance the fixtures for a team like Georgia, as a reward for their progress. But tournaments are owned by the countries involved.

“The only properties World Rugby have are the World Cup, the Under 20s championship every year, and the world Sevens series.

“We are helping Georgia as much as we can and they are hosting the World Under 20 championship this year.

“We want to grow the game, so it can be enjoyed by more countries than the historical unions who have always played it. But to tell the Six Nations or SANZAR who should be part of their competitions is nigh-on impossible.”

What do you think? Do you think Georgia deserve a spot?