THE days of the rugby rover will end at the start of the next century.

The International Board, who met in Dublin yesterday, have decided that any player old enough to appear for his country is automatically mature enough to take a permanent career decision.

There will be no switching nations once a player is capped at Test or A team level.

Players currently in the process of qualifying, like Joeli Vidiri from Fiji to New Zealand - will be allowed to complete the process, but any young star who fancies challenging countries for glory or gold will, as from yesterday, be unlucky.

Yesterday's ruling will not affect the chances of former South African captain Fraacois Pienaar playing for England, providing he extends his residential qualifications from December 1996 to December 1999.

The board confirmed the long term future of Lions' tours, but hinted that the old system of combining a trip to Australia and New Zealand would be considered. Future Lions' tours will probably be shorter but will take in more Tests.

Italy, victors over Ireland a fortnight ago, were given limited encouragement about their chances of joining an expanded Five Nations championship.

Board chairman Vernon Pugh said: "The door is open for Italy to demonstrate over a period of time that they can match and beat some of the Five Nations sides. Ireland recently gave them a leg up".

Meanwhile, half time is to be extended from five to 10 minutes, with the teams taking a break in the dressingroom.