Fresh doubts have emerged over whether Cardiff's state-of-the-art Millennium Stadium will be finished in time for the 1999 rugby union World Cup.

The tournament kicks off on October 1st next year but two of the biggest contractors involved in the £121 million pound redevelopment of the old Cardiff Arms Park are locked in a legal dispute.

Cimolai, the Italian company making the steel for the project, have issued a legal claim against the main builder, Laing, accusing them of providing insufficient and late design information.

Laing confirmed yesterday that the claim had been issued, but insisted the stadium would be finished on time to stage the international against South Africa on June 26th 1999.

Laing have requested permission from Cardiff City Council to start working around the clock as they bid to get the project back on schedule.