IRB forum:Argentina will not be joining the Six Nations Championship, their future instead lying in the Tri-Nations, according to the findings of the IRB forum at Woking, England. Even then they will have to wait for a number of years to earn a place in the latter tournament because of issues relating to game and player management within the country.

There were a number of major issues on the agenda as the delegates conducted a major review of the sport's current structures and fixtures schedules.

IRB chairman Syd Millar presided over a gathering that included IRB council members, representatives from member unions, Ligue Nationale de Rugby in France (LNR), Premier Rugby Limited (PRL), European Rugby Cup (ERC), Celtic League, Sanzar, Six Nations and Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA), as well as players, coaches, managers, IRB management and commercial agents.

Millar pointed out: "The measures were formulated after 30 hours of robust and constructive debate over three days among the 90 delegates from all the major rugby stakeholders from all over the world. When you examine the outcomes it is clear that the forum concluded, after much debate and study, that the existing calendar is still the best vehicle for the game and that with some modifications it will allow plenty of scope for the continued growth of rugby.

"With the agreements we made, the forum delegates have strengthened the basic structure of the calendar in the short term, while at the same time laying solid foundations for future change and growth. The stress areas in the calendar have now been fixed, and in particular the June Test window. We would expect to see further changes to the playing schedule start in 2012 at the latest."

As the accompanying panel illustrates there was a consensus to try and harmonise as much as possible disparate playing seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and also focus on player welfare.

Delegates asked the IRB to further explore two potential options, namely a series format that would give ranking points to existing matches and could culminate in a grand final and a 12-team pool format run over two years between Rugby World Cups.

Argentina's brilliant showing in the recent World Cup was recognised by the IRB and they agreed to a number of proposals, one of which was the full integration of Argentina into the senior international calendar on the basis of a four-year transition programme.

There was also a consensus to increase the number and calibre of Tests the Pumas would play between 2008 and 2010 from the present six matches to nine per year. They would play four Tests in the June window (three at present), three in November and two during the Six Nations.

The IRB was keen to support the phased development of professional rugby structures in Argentina, trying to create a situation whereby the majority of top-class players stayed at home to play their rugby so that the Pumas could be fully integrated into the Southern Hemisphere's top-flight rugby-playing structure.

There remains several hurdles to overcome in the short term before Argentina will be in a position to expand the Tri-Nations to a four-team competition but the Argentina Rugby Union (UAR) made a commitment to have its players contracted to the union and for the majority of its players to be based in Argentina by 2012.

The IRB also confirmed the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand would comprise 20 teams. This mirrors the number of teams that played in the last three tournaments.

Global rugby's showpiece will be staged in September-October of that year, the final taking place on the weekend of October 22nd and 23rd, 2011.

The qualification structure is being reviewed but the number of automatic qualifiers will increase from eight to 12. Therefore, South Africa, England, Argentina, France, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Fiji, Wales, Ireland, Tonga and Italy, as top-three teams in their RWC 2007 pools, have automatically qualified for RWC 2011.

Regional qualifying for the remaining eight places will start next year.

IRB changes

To adopt improved player welfare standards through the implementation of a minimum of 10 weeks player rest and pre-season conditioning.

To further study two formats that would enhance the value and prestige of the inter-hemisphere matches in the June and November Test windows.

The capping of the number of annual Tests that would guarantee automatic player release to 11 per annum.

That English and French professional club seasons would finish by May 31st each year. This would ensure full-strength international squads for the June Tests.

New initiatives and competition structures that will aid the development of the emerging nations.

The creation of a permanent Rugby World Cup window of September-October.