My friend just got brink and we've been having problems trying to play together whether it be campaign, freeplay or challenges

Im rank 5 and he's around rank 2 and whenever he sends me an invite, im always denied connecting because im a higher rank even though the map settings are "my rank or higher"
I can only seem to play private matches with him and he has no problems joining my challenge match although he cant cope with the higher ranked bots so we've been trying to get him to host matches.

Any tips from forum members on how a higher rank can join a lower ranks match? (challenges, campaign, freeplay)
Also I remember reading somewhere that i can join lower rank matches but i my higher rank abilities would be restricted, any way i can do this??

Really hoping splash damage would bring lobbies/party system into the game as part of the DLC or asap

*On the PS3 btw*

Make sure you each have "my rank or higher" selected.

the only way I solved this issue when playing with my friends was to get the highest rank player to host the game. But then your rank 2 friend has to deal with rank 5 bots still. It wasn't so bad for my friends and I because it was only 1 rank difference not 3. If no other method works for you, you may have to tell your friend to "svck it up buttercup" and deal with rank 5 bots