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The IRB has today revealed that a record ten unions have made bids to host the Rugby World Cup in either 2015 or 2019, including surprise bids from Russia and Jamaica, both of whom didn't qualify for the 2007 World Cup. Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales have made bids to stage the 2015 tournament, while Australia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Wales are want to host in 2019.

IRB honcho Bernard Lapasset had this to say about it all, "This is tremendous news for Rugby World Cup. The fact that 10 member unions have signalled their intention to tender for the 2015 and 2019 tournaments reflects the growing global prestige of the Rugby World Cup. The IRB Council will announce the RWC 2015 and 2019 host unions in July 2009, six years prior to the first tournament and 10 years prior to the 2019 event."

In a definite case of the headline doing exactly what it says on the tin, England’s players have come to an agreement with the RFU over their England pay.

After earlier rumours that players were threatening to strike over a performance-related alternative to the existing pay deal, it was announced that both parties had reached a compromise.

The previous rate of £9,000 per game will fall to £8,200, but a win will see that figure rise to £11,000. Image rights will take that to £13,500, meaning that England’s elite players will potentially earn £185,000 a year. Which, it’s got to be said, isn’t a bad little earner coming from playing for your country.

Needless to say Jonno wasn’t exactly keen to dwell on the matter,

"It's important these off-the-field matters were resolved ahead of the season. Everyone has bought into and supports the agreement."

‘Nuff said.

Butch James should be counting his lucky stars that no one has come forward and arrested his Springbok number ten jersey.

James has plenty to gain, but even more to lose against a depleted Argentina outfit.

Fatigue is understandable, but in the professional environment, it is no excuse.

His poor run of form might not be worrying Pieter de Villiers, but Francois Steyn and Ruan Pienaar have their supporters by the truck-load and another sticky showing in what is effectively a nothing-match could see James regurgitating talk of international retirement.

If you asked every professional rugby player who they'd like to kick-off their pre-season campaign against, world champions, South Africa would probably be near the bottom of the list.

But the Pumas have had to suck it up and will travel to Coca-Cola Park AKA Ellis Park, Johannesburg as part of Nelson Mandela's birthday celebrations.

Santiago Phelan makes six changes from the side that lost of Italy with Felipe Contepomi returning as skipper at fly-half.

French pair, Patricio Albacete and Alvarez Kairelis form a new second-row pairing while familiar faces Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Rodrigo Roncero and Mario Ledesma all start.

Argentina: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 José María Núñez Piossek, 13 Federico Martín Aramburu, 12 Miguel Avramovic, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Felipe Contepomi (c), 9 Nicolás Vergallo, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 6 Martín Durand, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Rimas Álvarez Kairelis, 3 Pedro Ledesma, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.

Replacements: 16 Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Esteban Lozada, 19 Álvaro Galindo, 20 Alfredo Lalanne, 21 Benjamín Urdapilleta
22 Rafael Carballo.