Clive Woodward tells Wales to accept Six Nations relegation challenge as he backs Georgia's call-out

Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward has called for relegation and promotion in the Six Nations as he said struggling teams like Wales are 'simply allowed to bumble along' without any pressure.

The topic of promotion and relegation in the Six Nations has been a hot topic ever since Wales slumped to their first wooden spoon since 2003.

Having previously called for a play-off match in previous years when Italy were bottom of the pile, former Wales captain Sam Warburton's view remained the same even when Warren Gatland's side were the Six Nations' basement side.

Rugby Europe champions Georgia called out Wales to play a friendly in lieu of an official play-off match, also adding to the discourse around whether there should be some jeopardy in European rugby's premier competition.

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And now Woodward has added his own views to the debate, backing the introduction of a play-off match.

"Anyone with an interest in the competitiveness of international rugby in the northern hemisphere acknowledges the Six Nations should have promotion and relegation," Woodward wrote in his Daily Mail column.

"The only ones who don’t seem to be of that view are the protectionists at the head of the leading unions who want to maintain the Championship as a closed shop to ensure they are not put at sporting or financial risk by dropping out of the European game’s top tier.

"Such an attitude flies completely in the face of what professional sport should be about. It should be about jeopardy and danger and the need to deliver on the big stage when it matters most."

Like Warburton, the 2003 World Cup winner added that he's maintained for a long time that there should be an annual play-off match between the Six Nations' bottom side and the winner of Rugby Europe.

However, Woodward would also bring in promotion and relegation at other levels, including the women's tournament and the men's under-20 competition. He would also consider the under-18s tournament, but added that might be more complicated given it has a different format.

The reason Woodward wants to bring in jeopardy is that he feels the current format risks creating a big gap between the best and worst sides at each level - pointing to the dominance of Ireland in the men's game and England in the women's.

"Wales are under pressure in both tournaments," he added. "Their men’s side picked up the wooden spoon and their women’s team has lost all three games so far this year.

"Right now, teams who are struggling are simply allowed to bumble along at the bottom of their respective tables without feeling any pressure they might drop out of the competition."

He then added: "Some unions deserve to be put under pressure.

"Wales finished bottom of this year’s men’s Six Nations, failing to win a game. They should be playing Georgia over two legs later this year to earn their place in the 2025 tournament. There should be no fear of doing that because frankly if you can’t win, you don’t deserve a place in the Six Nations anyway. It would make teams hungry for success."

He also noted his belief that Welsh rugby would be operating differently if they faced the prospect of a play-off, adding it would be a similar story for Argentina and Australia in the Rugby Championship were Fiji or Japan waiting in the wings.

Woodward also added that he "loved" Georgia calling out Wales to face them this autumn, even though it "wasn't rugby's traditional way of doing things".

"I hope they and Wales do meet this autumn because it will provide both sides with an opportunity to see where they are at even if the game won’t change anything officially."