Chris Johnson (right) was banned for five Rules matches

The GAA and AFL have agreed in principle that that the series, which is currently played each year, will be held on a biennial basis.

The GAA want the change after growing concerns over the series' impact on county championships.

A final decision will be taken in May but any switch would only come into effect after this year's series.

Discussions on the series were held earlier this week between the GAA and the Australian Football League.

There had been misgivings within the GAA about the series after violence marred last year's two Tests.

A number of disciplinary changes to the hybrid game have been announced.

Red carded players will not be replaced in games and a penalty kick will be awarded. Also, yellow carded players will be sinbinned for 15 minutes.

Despite the widespread concerns within several counties in Ireland about the continuation of the hybrid game, a joint statement from the GAA and the AFL said that the two bodies agreed that the series has "been a great success" since its resumption in 1998.

The statement said that the International Rules has attracted average gates of 47,000 but added that "the unsporting behavour of some players during the 2005 series was totally unacceptable".

In addition to the new red card rules, dismissed players will also have to go before a tribunal where a minimum one-match ban will be handed to those handed a guilty verdict.