Bath's controversial victory over London Irish deep into stoppage time on Saturday has prompted Twickenham to consider following football's example and telling spectators in advance of the minutes to be added at the end of each half.
Irish complained about the 88th-minute Ollie Barkley penalty which gave Bath the spoils 24-22, claiming they had been informed by the fourth official that there would be only three minutes of time added. "This is an issue which needs to be addressed and I have already spoken to Ed Morrison [the Rugby Football Union's elite referees officer]," said Howard Thomas, the chief executive of Premier Rugby. "It is important that spectators know exactly what is going on and there was a match in Reading at the end of last season when London Irish snatched a draw against Harlequins after a considerable amount of stoppage time.
"In the Six Nations, a fifth official signifies the amount of stoppage time on a board but we only have four officials in the Premiership and there are cost issues to be considered: with a number of substitutions invariably made around the 80th minute, the fourth official has his hands full without having to worry about time to be added on, but that is not an insurmountable problem and we need to do something for the sake of the paying public and the directors of rugby."
The paying public in Australia for next year's World Cup will have bargains in the group stages of the tournament but if they plan on hanging around for the semi-finals and final in Sydney they will need deep pockets.
The Australian Rugby Union is due to announce its pricing policy for the 48-match tournament which will be played over 44 days in 10 different cities. Discounts are expected to be offered to fans who buy tickets for all the group matches at a particular venue, but tickets for the semi-finals will average more than £100 with £250 being the going rate for the November 22 final. "There are no hidden schemes or processes," said the ARU chief executive John O'Neill.
Ireland are the only one of the four home unions who have to pre-qualify for the World Cup. They face Russia and Georgia later this month and will play Romania in Limerick on Saturday as a warm-up. The Leinster No8 Victor Costello and the Munster flanker Alan Quinlan were yesterday added to the Irish squad with Anthony Foley and Eric Miller struggling with rib injuries.
The Wasps' full-back Josh Lewsey has not broken his leg, as his club first feared when he was injured at Newcastle on Sunday. The England international may play against Bristol this weekend after a scan yesterday revealed the problem was soft tissue damage.
