Grounds for change in Dublin

With the sport going through a boom in popularity, the Irish Rugby Football Union is reaping rich rewards from a successful and highly marketable team.

Unlike the English, Scottish and Welsh unions, the IRFU doesn't have repayments on a new stadium, which leaves the game awash with cash from television and corporate sponsors.

But the problem of a dilapidated ground remains. With its 48,000 capacity, Lansdowne Road is clearly the poor relation when compared to the super-stadia of Twickenham, Murrayfield and Cardiff.

However, the union has good reason not to spend its own money on a new ground as it may be offered outside help.

There has been talk of playing rugby at Gaelic Football's Croke Park, a 75,000-seat stadium in the centre of Dublin, with the government funding the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road to host smaller games.

Then there is the 'Bertie Bowl' option, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern's ambitious plans for a £380 million sporting complex on the outskirts of the capital, including an 80,000-capacity stadium. But the scheme is still in the planning stage.