Fiji and Japan are set to be axed by World Rugby in order to get their controversial global competition to go ahead.

World Rugby managed to get a period of due diligence from the world’s top 12 countries last month but issues around the concept of a promotion-relegation system continue to hinder their efforts to finalize the competition.

The global governing body faced a lot of backlashes when they revealed their plan earlier this year and has already copped plenty of flack for the competition.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a report surfaced that both Japan and Fiji have been axed from the top tier in the latest revamp of the league model.

Sydney Morning Herald reports the latest proposal would see a new competition only feature 10 nations in the top division, two teams less from the existing Rugby Championship and Six Nations.

This means Fiji and Japan, who have beaten the likes of France, Italy and South Africa in the past four years, will miss out.

The Sydney Morning Herald did add however that the top division would expand to 12 teams from 2026, meaning two extra sides will get promoted eventually but would have to wait at least four years.

Another rugby nation sure to be disappointed by the latest model will be 12th-ranked Georgia who has been overlooked for Six Nations side Italy, currently ranked 14th.