World champions Australia are unlikely to follow their rugby league counterparts by scrapping their forthcoming European tour.
Australian rugby chiefs are monitoring world events on a daily basis ahead of the tour which features Test matches against England, Wales and France.
The 30-man squad is scheduled to arrive in London on October 21st for the five-week tour.
The Australian Rugby Union have stated that no player would be forced to travel if they opted not to tour following the military action in Afghanistan.
"We are still going ahead with our plans," said Australian Rugby Union spokesman Derek Nelson. "And that will be the case unless any deterioration of the situation causes a possible reassessment."
Australia begin the seven-match trip against a National Divisions XV in Leicester on October 29th, before tackling Spain in Madrid, Oxford University, England (November 10th), France in Marseille, then Wales and finally the Barbarians, both at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
The Australin Rugby League side were due to play a tour match against St Helens in England on October 20th and the first rugby league test against Britain was scheduled for November 3rd. They were due to leave Australia on Saturday.
Meanwhile, South Africa will call an emergency meeting next month to reconsider plans to tour the northern hemisphere if world tension increases. - PA / Reuters