Exclusive by Jonathon Moore BBC Sport Online

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has scheduled an urgent meeting in an attempt to avert the growing financial crisis surrounding the sport's poorer nations.

The move was prompted by the recent postponement of the proposed inter-hemisphere clash - which is already reported to have claimed Michael Lynagh as a victim.

The match was initially scheduled to allow rugby's major players to raise funds for their poorer cousins.

But, following widespread opposition from international coaches and players' unions, it was indefinitely postponed.

"We have scheduled a meeting in November in which this will be addressed very seriously," the IRB's Chris Rea told BBC Sport Online.

"The postponement of the inter-hemisphere clash was very dissatisfying from our point of view. And we realise the problem is a matter of extreme urgency."

The decision to postpone the match prompted suggestions that rugby in the Pacific Islands of Samoa, Tonga and Fiji could disappear as early as 2007.

"Without exposure to Test matches, these Island teams would lose all competitiveness, which in turn could spell their demise as early as the 2007 Rugby World Cup."

Rea stressed that the IRB remained committed to providing support for all nations and he admitted that "major issues' would need to be addressed.

"We're working on suggestions as to how we can level the playing field," he said.

"Clearly it's an issue for us and proposals will be made as to how this can be addressed, though every suggestion will have to be agreed on in full by the council."