Australia are favourites to host the rugby World Cup in 2003, with New Zealand sharing pool and knockout matches. The International Rugby Board will deliver a verdict on the venue when they meet in Dublin today.

But the tournament should return to its 1987 origins - the last two events having been held in Europe and South Africa. Back in 1987, New Zealand were the prime organisers and the final took place in Auckland.

England and France have made counter-bids but France are believed to be ready to lend their support to the Australasian proposal.

England have had a reasonable share of World Cups to date. They hosted the 1991 final and are organising most of the fixtures to take place in World Cup 1999, when the final will be in Cardiff.

Meanwhile, England coach Clive Woodward has effectively ruled out Jeremy Guscott's chances of winning a place in his team for next week's Five Nations opener against France in Paris. "Guscott will have to be playing better than de Phil de Glanville, Will Greenwood and Mike Catt to get into the team for Paris," said Woodward yesterday. To date Guscott has played only one game this season.

England may also have a difficult front row choice to make. Hooker Richard Cockerill, who has a knee injury, will probably have to drop out of the elite squad which would open the way for the return of either Mark Regan or Phil Greening (who also has a slight injury).