At home, they hope to announce an RFL executive chairman to head up a new administration by the end of this month and the Wigan chairman and ex-RFL chief executive is also aiming to help put in place a long-term international calendar, including tours and the next World Cup.

‘‘Following the resurrection of the Ashes tour, which made such a difference financially and emotionally, we have started to rebuild our relationship with Australia after a difficult period,’’ said Lindsay.

‘‘It’s important that we build on that, and when I met ARL chairman Colin Love at Christmas we agreed that at this meeting we would come up with a strong international calendar.

‘‘We hope we will be able to point the way forward for the international game for the next five to seven years.’’

Apart from a one-off Test between Great Britain and Australia in Sydney on July 12 and an end-of-season tour by New Zealand, the RLIF representatives will have a clean slate to work with.

It is thought the Kangaroos may visit Britain again in 2003 to help make up for the shortened tour last November, and Australia are set to propose a restoration of the World Sevens.

Delegates will also debate the future of the World Cup in addition to resolving the financial crisis left by the last one.

Instead of creating anticipated profits of up to £3m, (€4.8m) the 2000 tournament lost around £700,000 (€112,000) which has taken the RFL further into the red.

‘‘We have still to finalise the World Cup accounts. But I have a proposal to put to members that will find a way of restoring the losses,’’ said Lindsay.

‘‘Then we can draw a line in the sand.’’

Lindsay also plans to bring up a proposal to extend the World Club Challenge, which for the last three years has taken the form of a one-off clash between the British and Australian champions.