The International Rugby Board is looking for a return to old-fashioned tours in an attempt to stop European nations sending weakened squads south in the summer and the Tri-Nations teams responding by refusing to be part of the autumn Test match schedule.

Australia are so frustrated at trying to sell tickets for international matches against teams of unknowns that they have threatened to stop coming on tour to Europe in November. New Zealand feel the same way and their absence would have a serious financial impact on the home unions.

The top 10 nations in the world met in London this week and resolved to investigate the feasibility of more traditional tours which would see, for example, England going to Australia and playing three Tests and three midweek matches. Argentina's entry into the Tri-Nations was also discussed.

"The issue of the playing calendar is incredibly complex," said Bernard Lapasset, the IRB chairman. "It includes the requirements of clubs, provinces and national unions, two separate playing seasons, player welfare requirements and geographical and time zone considerations. Finding solutions that allow for growth, a balanced schedule and the promotion of meaningful matches has been a challenge."

The current tours schedule lasts until 2010. The chief executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Steve Tew, said that, if the issue of weakened squads visiting the south was not sorted out, his union would look at organising its own tours and increasing its revenue. "It will all be up for negotiation in two years," he said.

New Zealand are determined to hold on to the All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith. The former director of rugby at Northampton is being courted by the Ospreys. The Welsh region have been without a head coach since Lyn Jones was fired at the end of last season and their director of rugby, Andrew Hore, is a New Zealander.

Smith, who is under contract until the end of next year, is refusing to comment. He has been part of the New Zealand management team since 2004. Tew said Smith was focusing on the All Blacks' grand slam tour of the four home unions, which continues against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

Perpignan, who have threatened to pull out of the Heineken Cup in protest at an 18-week ban handed out to the hooker Marius Tincu for an alleged gouging offence against the Ospreys last month, will tomorrow find out whether their appeal against the decision has succeeded. A hearing was held in Dublin yesterday.