The International Board (IRB) has approved a recommendation from the Rugby World Cup Board that fees should be paid to the 20 participating countries in the 2003 World Cup. Each team will receive £150,000 simply for participating, while an additional £100,000 will be paid to the quarter-finalists. The four semi-finalists will get a further £50,000. A total of £4 million is being allocated to defray some of the participating unions' costs.

Of Irish interest is the fact that the IRB has agreed to preside over an Under-21 World Championship and it will take place in South Africa in June of next year. Twelve teams will participate, four from the Six Nations, three from SANZAR, and one each from North America, FIRA-AER, Oceania and Asia. The IRB has backed the venture to the tune of £100,000.