Ireland face cup away days

A computer image of a redeveloped Lansdowne Road

Ireland are likely to lose their home advantage at the group stages of the 2007 World Cup because of the unavailability of Lansdowne Road.

The IRFU look set to hand back the games allocated to them by hosts France with England a likely benefactor.

Despite the green light in January for a £215 million redevelopment of Lansdowne Road, IRFU chief Philip Browne said time was running out.

''We realise that there is a potential problem in hosting games,'' he said.

Ireland had hoped to have the option of playing at the newly-built 80,000-capacity stadium at Croke Park which is the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association.

But that move is fraught with difficulties with the GAA so far unwilling to open up its stadium to other sports.

Browne, however, said that the IRFU want to make sure everything is in place before moving on the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road.

''We want to be absolutely clear in our own mind as to all the issues in front of us before we make a final call,'' Browne told the Daily Telegraph.

''We have to deliver clarity for Rugby World Cup and that point is not too far off.

''It does need to be dealt with. The next stage in the redevelopment is to appoint a project director. That well happen within the next fortnight.''

The 50,000 all-seater stadium is not expected to be ready until 2008 at the earliest with planning permission alone likely to take up to two years.