World Rugby is looking to use the success of this year’s World Cup tournament in Japan as a springboard for developing nations to play more matches against the established elite.

Hosts Japan beat tier one rugby nations Scotland and Ireland en route to their first World Cup quarter-final, a feat that coach Jamie Joseph stressed was a result of experience gained by playing more established teams.

Japan played the likes of England, New Zealand, Ireland and France in the two years building up to the World Cup.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said on Sunday it would be a priority for Japan and other tier two nations to play more matches against the top teams, including newly-crowned world champions South Africa.

“There has been much talk about the future of the Brave Blossoms (Japan),” Beaumont said. “Our message is clear; we will do everything in our power to support them and all emerging teams to get regular access and meaningful fixtures in high level competitions.”

“Certainly, by ensuring that there are more fixtures between tier one and tier two we will continue to improve the standard.

“That is what we are going to do. By having an open mind … to ensure that there is an aspirational pathway for countries.”

Japan will play England and Ireland in the next 12 months, but the future is less clear for some developing countries.

Minnows Namibia did not play a single fixture against a tier one nation in the four years since the last World Cup and they have no matches against the top teams scheduled.

As well as inspiring other smaller rugby nations with their play on the field, Japan’s successful hosting of the World Cup vindicates World Rugby’s decision in 2009 to award the tournament to a nation outside the sport’s traditional heartlands for the first time.

World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper hailed it as “probably the greatest Rugby World Cup” ever.

World Rugby confirmed on Sunday that it would run the 2027 and 2031 World Cup bidding processes simultaneously , a policy it hopes encourages more developing nations to follow in Japan’s footsteps.

“Japan 2019 showed the power of a nation that really did dare to dream by hosting this,” said Gosper.

“They have been magnificent hosts…we really hope other unions find the courage now to throw their hat in the ring to host a Rugby World Cup, perhaps as an emerging nation.”

France has already been chosen to host the 2023 World Cup.

Australia has expressed initial interest in bidding for the 2027 World Cup, having last hosted in 2003.

Argentina and North America have been mooted as possible future hosts as World Rugby looks to expand the game into new continents when it opens the bidding process next year.

“It is correct and right that we as an organisation look at new areas,” said Beaumont. “When we came here to Japan, nobody would have thought that it would have been… the outstanding success that it has.”

“It does give us the opportunity to look at South America, North America, Canada and certainly that is part of our long-term planning.”