Rugby could be headed to the Middle East for the new Nations Championship, according to new reports.

Qatar has reportedly made a bid to host the three-day finals event - a bid that promises commercial returns of $1.68 billion (NZD).

Former All Black Sir John Kirwan is hopeful the power of sport can create a platform to address the outside issues in Qatar.

"You'd be hoping that our leadership across rugby - World Rugby and New Zealand Rugby - are putting some pressure on. They want the rugby to come there, they have oil money, but we also need to use that platform to ask serious questions."

LISTEN ABOVE