A biennial rugby competition involving the three southern hemisphere nations and the Six Nations championship sides could be introduced in 2006.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill said today that a proposal from the Tri-nations contestants Australia, New Zealand and South Africa had been circulated to International Rugby Board (IRB) members last week,
"It's a thought provoker," he said.
O'Neill said the competition would be staged every second November in the northern hemisphere between England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. It would be played in three pools of three teams each.
Meanwhile, IRB chairman Syd Millar said the 2003 World Cup had been the most successful to date. Organisers said they expect revenues of around $90 million.