Italy were yesterday celebrating the news that they are to be admitted to the Five Nations Championship after the 1999 World Cup. Italian rugby federation president Giancarlo Dondi described the announcement as a dream come true that they are to join Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and France in a new Six Nations Championship, beginning in 2000.

"It's a dream that only a few years ago we'd never have thought could come true," said Dondi. "It's down to the results which we've achieved. And it's recognition of the great deal of hard work which we have put into reaching the right standard."

Dondi was first informed of the decision by International Board chief Vernon Pugh. "He told me it was likely that Italy would be allowed into a Six Nations tournament after the last World Cup. That this has now been confirmed by Alan Hosie, the new chairman of the championship, and again by Vernon can only be a source of joy and of honour for me.

"I also think we've shown there is not just the national squad - we've had the courage to go on tour with the second team and we've won a World Cup qualifier with that team."

Dondi said there was considerable club activity, particularly in the north of Italy, but he accepted Pugh's point that grassroots support for the game would be important for the future. "Today, we have 35,000 registered players and we're making a great effort in schools. We're growing," he added.

Rugby will also return to the Olympics at the 2004 Athens Games after a break of 80 years. The sport featured in the 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924 Games. The United States were the last gold medallists.

In another initiative to expand the playing base of the game, Spain and Germany will be admitted to next season's European Conference club/ provinces competition.

New Zealand, who arrived in Britain yesterday for their tour of Wales, Ireland and England, have decided to name a shadow Test side tomorrow for their tour opener against Llanelli at Stradey Park on Saturday. The imminence of their first international against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday week has forced the New Zealand coach John Hart to focus on his first choice line-up a great deal quicker than he would have preferred.

However, there will be no place for Jonah Lomu the World Cup wing whose on-going treatment for a kidney complaint will probably keep him out of action until the latter part of the nine-match tour.

Australia coach Rod Macqueen has called on the sport's ruling body to introduce the `sin bin' at international level. Macqueen believes that test matches were being spoiled by persistent infringements such as deliberate offside and killing the ball.

Macqueen's comments followed Australia's 23-15 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday. Only one try was scored during the match which was punctuated by repeated stoppages including 45 penalties. Macqueen believes that the introduction of the sin bin would help deter teams from resorting to repeated infringements.

The sin bin has been used in club competitions in Australia, New Zealand and France for several seasons and was introduced to the English first division last weekend.

Irish wing Richard Wallace returns after six weeks out with an ankle injury to play for Saracens in their friendly at Cambridge University tonight.