Plans for 'global series' take shape

Plan Man: IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset has got the green light to explore inter-hemisphere series

The International Rugby Board (IRB) will press ahead with the drafting of detailed plans for a regular inter-hemisphere series.

A consultation meeting in Hong Kong featuring the IRB and chief executive officers of the ten senior unions opted to look further into the possibility of staging the series.

But because of the preparatory work and the time needed to reach consensus on any proposal with all relevant stakeholders in the game, it is unlikely any inter-hemisphere series could be launched before 2010.

A series could only take place in two out of the four years that comprise a Rugby World Cup cycle within the international playing calendar.

In the other two years, there would be the Rugby World Cup itself and a British & Irish Lions tour.

Ultimately, the IRB Council will decide whether to go ahead with an inter-hemisphere series concept once analysis and discussions have been completed.

There has been recent speculation about the possibility of an annual play-off match between winners of the Tri-Nations and the Six Nations. The issue was "informally discussed" but the conclusion was that the idea was not feasible and "that the IRB and Unions need not consider this matter any further".

The informal meeting in Hong Kong carried on the work of last November's IRB Forum held in England which was convened to study the issue of an integrated season for the game.the RBS 6 Nations and when this was discussed in Hong Kong, the feeling was the idea was not feasible.