BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | International | World Cup bid 'may hit trouble'

Southern hemisphere countries are likely to oppose England's plans to host the 2007 Rugby World Cup, according to Francis Baron, chief executive of the Rugby Football Union.

Baron said that there were likely to be "differences" of opinion over the timing of the event.

His comments come after Baron met Australian officials to discuss the English plans, which are to stage the World Cup in June and July.

There will be, as we found out from our discussions with the ARU, some different perspectives on what we originally put in place

Francis Baron

But that is in the middle of the lucrative southern hemisphere programme of Super 12 and Tri-Nations matches.

Baron said: "There will be, as we found out this morning from our discussions with the ARU, some different perspectives on what we originally put in place," he said.

ARU officials declined to comment on the discussions.

England's World Cup bid explained

The RFU had been unable to consult southern hemisphere nations before tabling its plan because the bid was confidential.

England have proposed a radical shake-up for the 2007 tournament, with one 16-team event for established superpowers and another 32-team tournament for the game's minnows.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) will decide next month whether it backs that idea - and is due to pick a winner between England and France next April.


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