Following fast on the rapprochement exhibited by the stakeholders in European rugby, the first ever forum involving all of the stakeholders in the world game is due to meet this year to discuss the international calendar. No date or venue has yet been set for the meeting.

Following a 15-month analysis of the international game by financial services company Deloitte, the International Rugby Board (IRB), announced yesterday that this forum will take place in order to discuss and to possibly rearrange the current calendar. That could mean that the traditional windows for international matches involving the Irish team in the autumn series and in June could be changed.

"That's definitely something that will be covered," said an IRB official. "This is the first forum so it is ground breaking and player's representatives, unions, committee representatives etc will all be involved. It is probably the biggest move ever towards an integrated season."

The statement claims that the forum will seek to establish a season "that will meet the requirements of all the game's stakeholders". The statement continued: "Over the last 15 months the IRB has engaged financial services company Deloitte to deliver analysis on the structure, health and economics of the game worldwide. The information from these reports will be used by the forum along with further details . . . to ensure robust debate on the way forward.

"Proposed options that have evolved . . . involve realignments to the matches currently played as part of the existing June and November international windows. The forum will allow the IRB to discuss with the game's stakeholders these options plus any others raised by the attendees. The forum will be facilitated by an independent third party. The venue, attendees, facilitator and format of the forum will be announced in the near future."