The eight countries in Division One are all able to field three runners in the middle and the long distance events, while the next 14 countries, in Division Two, can field two runners in each of these races.

The remaining countries in Division Three are only permitted to field one runner.

In addition to this, a number of personal places are awarded for the 2016 world champions in the middle and long distance races, and for regional champions in the year before the 2017 event.

After a number of good performances at the recent WOC, the French women were promoted to Division One, with an impressive 76 point lead over their nearest challengers, Latvia.

For most of the WOC 2016 week it looked like France would be replacing Britain, but the disqualification of the Czech Republic’s relay team saw them drop to Division Two for 2017 instead with Britain surviving.

Italy’s 10th place in the women’s relay, and top-ten results in both the middle and long distance races for Anastasia Denisova of Belarus, saw both countries promoted from Division Three to Division Two.

The United States, the lowest scorers in Division Two, will drop to Division Three for 2017 as a result.

They will be joined by Poland, who needed to beat Austria by seven places in the relay to stay up but were unsuccessful.

In the men's competition, the closest relegation contest was in Division Two, where Belarus, Italy and Germany were separated by a mere 12 points.

Germany ran well in the relay but it was not enough to keep them up, with Belarus’ win over Italy enough to also drop the Italians down into Division Three.

Replacing Germany and Italy in Division Two will be Ireland and Australia, who prevailed in a three-way promotion contest with Belgium.

Belgium's chances were hampered by Yannick Michiels’ absence through injury.

Estonia were comfortably promoted to Division One, at Ukraine’s expense, although Estonia are entitled to three runners in 2017 anyway as hosts.