The Six Nations is considering a large offer from CVC Capital Partners that would give the private equity firm a minority stake in the Championship.
CVC secured a 27% share of the Gallagher Premiership for £200million and are also interested in the Guinness PRO 14.
The Six Nations would be their first move into international rugby and news of the offer comes on the eve of a World Rugby-hosted meeting in Dublin in which the controversial Nations League is to be discussed.
However, a Six Nations source has told Press Association Sport that the CVC deal is just one of several options being considered to help launch 'Project Light' - the proposal for all the teams in the tournament to pool their commercial revenue.
It has been stressed that outside investment is not needed to get 'Project Light' off the ground.
The challenge facing World Rugby on Thursday is to convince the attending Six Nations teams - all tier one sides plus Fiji and Japan will be present - that their plans for an annual global tournament climaxing in a final is more beneficial than the pooled TV rights deal that they are negotiating.
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