The International Rugby Board last night agreed to investigate a return to traditional touring as a way of addressing concerns over the value of summer tours to the southern hemisphere.

Australia and New Zealand recently warned they would be prepared to scrap future European tours in protest at having to host under-strength touring teams.

France have sent shadow squads to Australia and New Zealand over the past two summers because their domestic club competition has not finished until the end of June.

The issue was high on the agenda at yesterday's meeting at Heathrow of the 10 tier one nations.

It was agreed that a return to traditional tours — with midweek matches played in between Tests — would be the "best way to enhance meaning and value for the problematic June window".

The meeting also agreed to conclude discussions about the integration of Argentina into the Tri-Nations "as a matter of urgency".

The IRB will also explore the possibility of setting up a tournament or series of matches in a Lions year involving teams not involved in the tour.

For example, next summer that would include Argentina, France, Australia and
New Zealand.

IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "The meeting in Heathrow was both constructive and extremely positive and all the delegates demonstrated a clear collective willingness to work together to consider meaningful solutions."

The IRB confirmed work on all three issues would begin immediately and will be discussed at upcoming executive committee and council meetings.