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Concerns that the 2011 Rugby World Cup would be downsized have been allayed after the International Rugby Board (IRB) said on Friday it would retain a 20-team format.

The decision to keep the numbers unchanged for the tournament in New Zealand was made at a special meeting following a recommendation from the Rugby World Cup Limited Board.

It was also agreed to raise the number of automatic qualifiers from eight to 12.

"The developing nations at Rugby World Cup 2007 produced significantly enhanced performances since RWC 2003. This is a direct result of the global £30 million IRB strategic investment programme that was established in 2005," Dr Syd Millar, IRB and RWC Limited chairman said in a statement on Friday.

"Based on this plus the likelihood that surplus revenue from Rugby World Cup 2007 will provide further funds for future investment in developing nations, the Council had no hesitation in approving the recommendation from the RWCL Board that 20 teams participate at the 2011 tournament.

"The IRB is very confident that the tournament will be a huge success."

The World Cup hosted by France this year and won by South Africa was hailed as the best ever with unpredictable results such as Fiji's victory over Wales and Argentina twice beating France to finish third.

During a three-day global Rugby Forum hosted by the IRB in Woking, south of London the dates of the 2011 World Cup were also decided.

The tournament will take place in September-October with the final scheduled for the weekend of October 22-23.

PROPER BREAKS

South Africa, England, Argentina, France, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Fiji, Wales, Ireland, Tonga and Italy will all qualify automatically for the tournament.

The qualification system for the eight other nations is being reviewed with regional qualifying starting in 2008.

A raft of other measures were also agreed, including a blueprint for the playing calendar with particular emphasis on the June test window, proper breaks for players and recognising Argentina's emergence as a major force.

The Forum agreed some modifications to the present calendar which it believes is basically sound.

Two changes would see a minimum of 10 weeks' player rest and for the French and English domestic seasons to finish by May 31 to ensure strong international squads for June tests.

It was also agreed that Argentina's future lies with the other southern hemisphere nations but that the Pumas should be fully integrated into the international calendar.

"In the short-term there are major hurdles to the integration of Argentina into the Southern playing structure because the majority of their top players are based in Europe which leads to many practical and player welfare issues," the IRB said in a statement.

For its part the Argentina Union (UAR) made a commitment to have its players contracted to the Union and for the majority of its players to be based in Argentina by 2012.

(Source: Reuters)