Tom Harrison, the Six Nations chief executive, has categorically ruled out any prospect of introducing promotion and relegation to the championship in the near future.
Speaking on the Business of Sport podcast, Harrison warned that dropping out of the competition could prove financially catastrophic for unions.
"We're not going to introduce promotion or relegation into the Six Nations anytime soon," he stated.
"I don't see an equivalent example where there is a competition that has promotion and relegation, where relegation is tantamount to bankruptcy or the end of your organisation."
His comments come despite growing calls from advocates seeking to open Europe's premier rugby tournament to Tier 2 nations like Georgia.
The Lelos have established themselves as the dominant force in the Rugby European Championship, lifting the trophy on 16 occasions during the past 18 editions.
Their impressive record includes victories against both Wales and Italy, strengthening their argument that they deserve regular competition against Europe's top sides.
Tom Harrison, the Six Nations chief executive, has categorically ruled out any prospect of introducing promotion and relegation to the championship in the near future
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Georgia have even put forward a proposal for a play-off match against Wales to determine which nation should compete in the Six Nations.
Meanwhile, Steve Tandy's Welsh side enter this weekend's fixtures without a championship win since March 2023.
Wales have finished bottom of the table in back-to-back tournaments, with the 2026 Six Nations kicking off on Thursday as France host Ireland.
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Five quirky facts about rugby | PASir Clive Woodward and Sam Warburton have both voiced their backing for introducing a promotion and relegation system to the tournament in recent years.
Warburton captain previously argued that such a structure should have been implemented during the period when Italy were regularly finishing at the foot of the standings.
However, the former Wales captain has also conceded that the financial ramifications of relegation for countries such as Wales would be "a disaster".
Harrison's latest remarks echo this concern, reinforcing the view that the economic consequences of dropping out of the Six Nations would be devastating for any union forced to compete at a lower level.
Harrison elaborated on the potential fallout from introducing such a system, painting a stark picture of what could unfold.
France face Ireland in the opening match of the Six Nations this evening
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He asked listeners to consider a scenario where a union producing talented young players suffered a poor run of results and found itself relegated.
"As a result, clubs had to close, programmes had to be shut down, people had to lose their jobs," he explained.
"That is not the objective of the theme and theory behind promotion and relegation, which is all about opportunity development."
The Six Nations boss stressed that nobody opposes giving developing nations greater opportunities. However, he insisted this cannot come "at the cost of a major rugby power not being able to exist".