The International Rugby Board’s Executive Committee have ratified a financial package that moves Argentina a step closer to joining an expended Tri Nations competition from 2012.

ARGENTINA are set to join the Tri Nations in 2012 after International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Bernard Lapasset confirmed the body would provide a crucial funding package.

FRANCE utility back Frederic Michalak will have surgery today after suffering a knee injury last weekend which could keep him out for a year.

Argentina is set to join the Tri Nations in 2012 after International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Bernard Lapasset confirmed the body would provide a crucial funding package for the project.

IRELAND’S Susan Carty has been appointed to a major post in international rugby following her work with the Irish Rugby Football Union — the first ever women’s development manager for the global game.

THE International Rugby Board has been warned there is a “serious risk” of the global game “going backwards” if the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand is a commercial failure.

World Cup organisers will launch an investigation into an alarming security breach that occurred just prior to the presentation of the Webb Ellis Trophy to tournament winners South Africa last night.

FRENCH rugby chief Bernard Lapasset has confirmed there are two stand-out candidates in the running to replace Bernard Laporte as head coach of the national team.

ALL THINGS considered, it’s been a pretty fraught few days in France for Ireland. Early in the week, there were allegations in the French press about Ronan O’Gara, not to mention the rumours of Geordan Murphy’s wish to leave the camp.

WELL, at least the beer on offer in the Stade de France is no longer under scrutiny.

ENGLISH and French clubs will play in next season’s European Cup and Challenge Cup, tournament organisers ERC confirmed yesterday following a meeting at Twickenham between all stakeholders.

French rugby chiefs insist the ball is firmly in the court of their English counterparts regarding the future of next season’s Heineken Cup.

FRENCH rugby coach Bernard Laporte will quit his job at his contract’s end after next year’s World Cup to concentrate on his own business interests.

BERNARD LAPORTE has apologised for the expletive-laden attack he aimed at French rugby fans after Saturday’s Six Nations defeat of Ireland.

Despite protestations from former French coaches Pierre Berbizier and Pierre Villpreux, Bernard Lapasset, the President of the French Rugby Federation, has given his full support to Bernard Laporte.

Today’s draw for the sixth World Cup threw up an intriguing prospect of Ireland tackling hosts France and possibly Argentina in Pool D.

Bernard Laporte today confirmed he would be staying on as France coach until the 2007 World Cup.

ITALY have threatened to withdraw from this year’s rugby World Cup on the basis that they are being unfairly treated.

France have confirmed they will stage pool matches in Scotland, Wales and Ireland if their bid to host the 2007 World Cup is successful.

THE Irish Rugby Football Union will refuse to endorse England's plan to solely host the 2007 World Cup.

FRENCH rugby has plumbed new depths following a second stunning Six Nations defeat at the Stade de France on Saturday that has left the nation feeling ‘‘offended’’, ‘‘battered’’ and ‘‘humiliated’’.

FRANCE are to drop Fabien Galthie for their Six Nations Championship match against Ireland on Saturday after the Colomiers player was sin-binned last weekend.

France are to drop Fabien Galthie for their Six Nations Championship match against Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday after the Colomiers player was sin-binned last weekend.