So now we've got a World Cup to look forward to, any ideas from anyone on a
possible format?
From what I can gather so far, it will be held entirely in the UK, and be
much slimmed down compared to the 2000 event, with most games staged in the
north of England, but one or two in other regions.
Plus there will be GB instead of home nations. No surprises that I'm very
pleased about that!

I think they should go for an unusual format, to make it stand out. How
about 9 teams, split into 3 groups of 3, each headed by GB, Aus, and NZ.
The three group winners then meet head to head in a tri-nations style
showdown, with the top two meeting in the final.
That would produce a good number of big games, particularly if GB, Aus and
NZ all make it through, which they should, and cut down the risk of too many
one sided thrashings.

Who should my nine teams be?: GB, Aus, NZ, France, PNG, plus 4 qualifiers
(say Fiji, Samoa, Republic of Ireland and South Africa).

The World Club Championship in 2004 also looks really good, and will be a
massive hit here in the UK. Let's hope the London Broncos win a place!
Plus the annual World Sevens will give emerging nations a brilliant
opportunity to improve. It's all great stuff!

andy S
http://www.andysav.free-online.co.uk/rugby.htm