Andrew Goodman believes World Rugby's new 'Nations Championship' could have a positive effect on the game, but only if Tier 2 sides can still get exposure to games against Tier 1 opposition.
World Rugby have confirmed that the 2027 World Cup in Australia is to be expanded from 20 to 24 teams, while they also passed through their proposal for a so-called 'Nations Championship' which will take place bi-annually from 2026.
The new competition will see the Six Nations sides, the four SANZAAR nations, as well as two more countries (expected to be Fiji and Japan) competing in a 12-team league which will be played across the July and November international windows.
A second 12-team division will operate below it, but with promotion and relegation not set to come into effect until 2030, there has been criticism the new format will make the rich richer rather than make the game more competitive globally.
Leinster's attack coach Goodman worked with Samoa during the World Cup, with his side almost defeating England in their final Pool D game, as well as running Ireland close during the warm-ups.
And the New Zealander says it's imperative the Tier 2 nations get better exposure to quality opposition.
"Its definitely a work in progress, something we need to keep chipping away and find time to do," he said.
"For example, the November series when we've come over in the past, if it's two games against Tier 2, we need a game against a Tier 1 nation. It could be one a year, or two a year if we can, trying to find even Argentina, those kind of games in the hemisphere that might be a little easier to organise.
"It's definitely something I know the Samoan union are working on very hard to try see when those timeslots could be."
World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin has claimed there will be an increase in the number of "crossover" games between Tier 1 and 2 sides in the years the tournament isn't taking place.
And Goodman says the idea can work, if they get more exposure to quality opposition.
"All teams, all the pacific nations teams and Tier 2 nations saw we need games against Tier 1 nations.
"This tournament is great because it gives us confirmed fixtures, a tournament structure, but we also need to find time to get regular Tier 1 games in between now and the next World Cup.
"You've seen when it happens, the improvements of the Portugals, the Samoas, the Fijis, the Tongas, if we get these games between World Cups, the World Cup will be more competitive and a better spectacle for everyone," he added.
The Leinster attack coach wasted little time getting back to work with the province after his short period with Samoa came to an end, with the province opening their BKT United Rugby Championship campaign with a 43-25 defeat to Glasgow last Sunday.
But Goodman says he turned down the opportunity to take a break after his time in France, instead getting straight back to the dayjob with Leo Cullen.
"He [Cullen] told me to try have a bit of time off but I just wanted to get straight back in.
"Change is as good as a break sometimes, and I was looking to getting back in an seeing the great work the boys had put in over a good pre-season.
"It was good to get back in and see some familiar faces, and some of the new boys that have come into the environment."
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Watch New Zealand v South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTE.ie/Sport or the RTÉ News app
