Australians urge French to cut Celts and go solo

Published on Wednesday 26 November 2003 00:00

ATTEMPTS by Australia to persuade France to drop Scotland as hosts in the next World Cup have been slammed as "ludicrous" by the Scottish Rugby Union’s new chairman.

The French Rugby Federation won the 2007 event after promising Scotland, Wales and Ireland nine group matches and a quarter-final at the Millennium Stadium.

But Australia Rugby Union chief executive John O’Neill insisted: "One of the main lessons of the last two months is that it is far better for the game to hold a World Cup in one country. It would be in everyone’s interests if France staged the next event on their own.

"I don’t think there would be problems taking matches off Ireland and Scotland, and though Wales are guaranteed 20% of the profits every time the event is staged in Europe, because of a deal struck in 1999, they can be compensated."

The French plan to cut the 2007 event from seven to six weeks, but SRU Executive Board Chairman David Mackay is confident the host deals will stay.

He said: "It’s ludicrous for Australia to suggest how the IRB run the next World Cup. The IRB is about trying to develop the game worldwide.

"This has been a very successful World Cup and Australia have been great hosts, but I’m appalled to hear Mr O’Neill trying to interfere in world rugby politics."

IRB chairman Syd Millar supported Mackay, adding: "It has almost been like hosting the tournament in three countries this time with the western, central and eastern areas of Australia in different time zones. The travelling time in 2007 will be less than going from Perth to Sydney, for example."

Meanwhile, the Heineken Cup rules, which force clubs to cut their squads to 30, with four extra front-row cover, have resulted in Scotland wing Jon Steel, Joe Naufahu and Kenny Sinclair being dropped for the tournament by Glasgow, Scotland sevens wing Conan Sharman and Nathan Pike left out by Edinburgh and Alastair Davidson and Paul Thomson deemed surplus by the Borders.

Italy are seeking to move their Six Nations opener against the world champions in February to Rome’s 80,000-capacity Olympic Stadium to exploit England’s increased appeal.