Hopes were raised last weekend when International Rugby Board chief executive Mike Miller was quoted as saying: “The Tri-Nations are all agreed that we need to do something about Argentina and the IRB have made it clear that we will look at any scheme that helps to ensure they are properly integrated into international rugby.

“There’s nothing to stop it happening next year if everyone wants it to.”

Further reports followed that the Argentinian government had made diplomatic approaches to their Australian counter-parts to smooth the way for the Pumas to be included in the competition.

While Risley was encouraged by the recent comments, he insisted Argentina remain some way from joining Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in a Four Nations championship.

He said: “These comments are excellent for us, as they back an old ambition we have.

“This is a very important support, but unfortunately we also need the allowance from the unions who form those tournaments.

“And it is very soon to start talking about this if we don’t have the invitation from the unions.

“We are looking for a regular, yearly competition but we cannot define anything if we don’t have the invitation. It is too early.”

There are two major hurdles Argentina would have to cross in order to join the Tri-Nations: television money and player availability.

The Tri-Nations was created by Rupert Murdoch’s News Ltd company and Argentina could struggle to bring a financially attractive television package to the table.

Most of the Pumas’ internationals play their club rugby in Europe and Argentina could struggle to field full-strength sides given that the tournament is played between July and September.

There have been suggestions that Argentina could join the Six Nations and base themselves in Spain for the duration of the tournament.

Risley added: “In case we are invited to play the Six Nations, we have already listened to offers from different places in Europe and looked for possibilities.”