Beattie, now a BBC Scotland pundit, said: "Ireland and Scotland only survive at this level because we have better coaching, trained through our institutes of sport.

"I watch teams from Wales and think 'Crikey, guys, get properly drilled.'"

He warned, though, that the transition period would be painful.

"In Scotland we have three provincial teams controlled by the SRU. They can impose one style of play and control the coaches, and the whole thing ultimately comes back to the Institute of Sport.

"Our real conflict came with the clubs about five years ago - and it still hasn't been finally resolved. They see themselves as the elite level of the game.

"In Wales the players aren't fit enough and nomadic professionals will play for anyone if the buck is right.

"If you had three or four teams you'd see a better standard of rugby and would win more games.

"There'd be huge conflict in the game, though, with great club names asked to play second fiddle.

"It would take at least five years to get over the conflicts and would split the game down the middle."