Rugby’s major nations have endorsed a 20-team format for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and have offered to play midweek matches to ensure lower-ranked teams have more time between rugby matches.

Representatives of Tier One nations met Monday to discuss the format and commercial model for the next World Cup, which will be held in England.

Lower-ranked nations competing at the World Cup were given a schedule which for some meant as little as four days between games, while the top tier countries enjoyed longer rest breaks.

The International Rugby Board said in a statement Monday that during “a constructive forum” Tier One unions had “unanimously recommended retaining the current format of 20 teams split across four pools.”

“Delegates also reaffirmed their support of the IRB’s planned review of the Rugby World Cup match schedule to deliver the best possible balance of rest days for all teams.”

The IRB said Tier One unions had agreed to play midweek matches during the 2015 World Cup to ensure smaller nations receive a fairer spread of game.

“While the meeting was not a decision-making forum, key recommendations will be put forward to the IRB executive committee or the IRB Council for consideration,” the IRB statement said.

IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said a review of the format and match schedule of the World Cup is undertaken after every tournament.

“The success of Rugby World Cup has been essential to the global prosperity and growth of our sport over the last decade.”

“It has delivered the financial platform to enable more men, women and children to participate across all continents over the next decade.”

“A review of the format and match schedule is undertaken after every tournament.”

“This scheduled meeting, its recommendations, coupled with the ongoing commercial model review, will ensure that Rugby World Cup continues to serve the needs of the global Game at every level while reinforcing its place as one of the world’s premier sports events.”

“I would like to thank the Tier 1 Chairmen and Chief Executives for their full and open contribution to the meeting and their commitment to the review process.”