The 6 Nations events are to be upgraded to a new Home Countries International Championship encompassing seven nations from 2017.

England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey will all compete in the tournament, which will see the Cadet & Junior and Senior age groups, previously held separately, combined into one enhanced three-day event.

Up until now, Isle of Man have competed only in the Cadet & Junior age group and Jersey only in the Seniors.

The new-style event will be held every two years and retain the team and singles competitions which currently feature.

The team events will be played on the Friday and Saturday and the singles will follow on the Sunday, with the seedings decided by the team results.

Teams of two will be permitted, with one reserve.

The new format was agreed at a meeting of the seven competing nations. The first new-style event will be hosted by Guernsey in 2017.

Table Tennis England Chief Executive Sara Sutcliffe said: “The hope is that this will revitalise the competition and make it more special for the nation whose turn it is to host the event, and also enhance the athletes’ experience.

“Bringing the age groups together will also add a new dimension and give the Home Countries International Championship a higher profile.”