It may be as early as France 2023 that an additional four nations are represented, although the ensuing competition four years later is more likely as governing body World Rugby looks to increase the reach of the game.

Hong Kong, Germany, Kenya and the Cook Islands are among the sides who might benefit from any enlargement, but chief executive Brett Gosper is aware of an important balance that must be struck.

“We’re always looking from an expansive point of view rather than reducing so it’s just a question of when rather than if,” World Rugby boss Gosper said.

Next year's Rugby World Cup in Japan could be the last to be contested by 20 teams. Picture: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

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

“The tendency for us is to try and look to expand. It’s about growing the global game – getting interest from fans and commercial interest in new markets.

“But you’ve got to make sure you’ve got the teams. We’re definitely in an expansive mindset, is how I’d put it.”

Strengthening the expansionist cause would be the less established teams surpassing expectations at Japan 2019.

“If those teams had a good tournament it would give courage and impetus to change,” Gosper said.

Rugby World Cup could be expanded to 24 teams