Rugby World Cup organisers like to describe their tournament as the third biggest sports event in the world, but their public relations would shame the Puddletown shove ha'penny team. Having led Australia to believe it would be confirmed today as the sole venue for the 2003 competition, the International Rugby Board has now delayed the announcement for a further 24 hours, prompting speculation that New Zealand may yet be invited back as co-host.

Despite intense lobbying over recent days in Dublin, where the IRB Council is meeting, the chance of New Zealand being reinstated remains remote after last month's decision to strip it of its host status for failing to guarantee advertising-free stadiums. Not only has Australia's subsequent solo bid been accepted by the RWC board but the tournament's credibility would be at risk if another row were to break out between the antipodean rivals.

The Australian Rugby Union has already made it clear it would withdraw its original offer to cushion its New Zealand counterpart to the tune of A$10m (£3.7m) against any financial shortfall suffered in hosting the tournament. The ARU's spokesman Strath Gordon yesterday rubbished reports that New Zealand had negotiated its way back. "I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that the Rugby World Cup board has recommended that Australia be the sole hosts," he said.

Experience should have taught everyone that playing the World Cup in one country is an infinitely preferable option. Most national coaches would also advocate staging the tournament wholly in Australia to avoid giving a dangerous-looking New Zealand side too much of an advantage.

London Irish have announced their side for Saturday's Powergen Cup final against Northampton. It contains two front-row changes from their semi-final win over Harlequins, with the former Springbok Naka Drotske preferred at hooker to Richard Kirke and Michael Worsley replacing Simon Halford at prop.

· The Scotland scrum-half Bryan Redpath, linked with a move to Leicester, yesterday signed a two-year deal to stay at Sale Sharks.

London Irish: Horak; Sackey, Appleford, Venter, Bishop; Everitt, Martens; Worsley, Drotske, Hardwick, Strudwick (capt), Williams, Halvey, Danaher, Sheasby. Replacements: Edwards, Brown, Hoadley, Cockle, Kirke, Delaney, Halford.

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