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Warren Gatland believes that a 24-nation Rugby World Cup would help to grow the game.<\/p>\n
An expansion from the current 20 countries for Australia 2027 or the United States four years later has been mooted in some quarters.<\/p>\n
The current tournament in France has already been highlighted by outstanding performances from lower-ranked teams.<\/p>\n
Uruguay pushed France for large parts of a gripping Pool A encounter before losing 27-12, while Portugal gave Gatland\u2019s Wales plenty to ponder and Chile had their moments in games against Japan and Samoa.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI thought Uruguay were outstanding \u2013 it is brilliant for the game,\u201d Wales head coach Gatland said, following a 28-8 victory over Portugal.<\/p>\n
\u201cPortugal were fantastic and showed a lot of enterprise, and you could argue that Uruguay were pretty unlucky in a few situations (against France).<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it is important that we continue to develop from a rugby perspective to help develop these tier two nations.<\/p>\n
I think it’s a real positive going forward to see teams competing and pushing other teams close<\/p>\n
\u201cThere might be a situation where we can increase the number of teams in the World Cup to 24, and that would continue to help grow the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is an important aspect. You don\u2019t want top tier nations dominating, you want upsets \u2013 as long as I am not a part of it!<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s a real positive going forward to see teams competing and pushing other teams close.\u201d<\/p>\n
Portugal returned to the World Cup stage following a 16-year absence when they tackled Wales at Stade de Nice.<\/p>\n
They qualified for the tournament by winning a repechage competition in Dubai, and full-back Nuno Sousa Guedes has no doubt that regular exposure against leading nations is what Portugal require.<\/p>\n
Guedes and company made life tough for Wales, trailing by just four points approaching half-time, while they did not concede a bonus-point try until the game\u2019s closing seconds.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we could keep playing games like this, it is the main thing,\u201d Guedes said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the kids back home who are starting out, it would be a very good step.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIn Portugal, it is always soccer. We want to show the world that it is not only soccer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have the numbers in terms of rugby and some good kids coming up. I think we have the capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n