Major rugby nations will begin their assault on the IRB's coffers this month when they try to arrange a massive compensation package to be paid out in World Cup years.

The 10 Tier One Nations - Tri Nations, Six Nations and Argentina - estimate that, by not playing June or November tests, they incur combined losses of close to $100 million in World Cup years. The Sanzar nations are harder hit as they have to truncate the Tri Nations every four years, further reducing their gate income.

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