Rugby Union: Allegations of foul play rejected by citing team

WORLD CUP organisers have decided not to cite any players involved in Saturday's final despite complaints by the Australians of eye gouging and foul play.

Raphael Ibanez, the French captain, said yesterday that he and Fabien Pelous risked being cited but said Le Bleus had also been the victims of foul tactics from the Australians, but a World Cup spokeswoman said the citing commissioner had reviewed the video of Australia's 35-12 defeat of France but had not identified the alleged incidents which the Wallabies had complained of.

The Six Nations Committee have urged the home unions to consider a radical overhaul of the northern hemisphere season. Allan Hosie, the chairman, will chair a full meeting on 15 November, during which the setting up of a British and Irish League will be discussed.

Hosie said: "I have requested that the committee's representatives consult with each of their unions in a fresh endeavour to look at the structure of the northern hemisphere season. They will then give a report at the next full meeting of the Six Nations Committee. It is likely that their reports will encompass the notion of any new cross-border competition."