"I respect Rocky's decision. It was unfortunate the position that he was put in," Horgan told Setanta Sports. "Everybody wants to play Test rugby and should be given the opportunity to do so but his hands were tied by the ARU. There needs to be some sort of accommodation, especially for a player of his talents. I know he was very keen to spend another year at Leinster."

Elsom is currently out with a knee injury, but is expected to play some part in the Wallabies' Tri-Nations campaign, which kicks off against New Zealand on July 18.

John Kirwan's Japan side, who are preparing for this season's Pacific Nations Cup, had led 17-12 with 12 minutes remaining before Shipperley and flank Scott Higginbotham crossed to save their blushes. Japan had taken the lead following a 70m team try from flanker Yoshitaka Nakayama.

A Hereford-based firm has designed a new cross bar that will generate an "electronic curtain" which will transmit a signal when broken by the flight of the ball. The system emits a radio signal confirming the kick has been successful and it could also activate flashing lights in the cross-bar.

The technology - named Goalscan - has the full backing of Worcester chairman Cecil Duckworth, who has made Sixways available for testing of the prototype prior to full match trialling.

"We have experienced some doubtful decisions here at Sixways Stadium so when I was approached by one of our debenture holders we immediately thought it was a great idea so I contacted the RFU who were also very impressed," said Duckworth.

"Hopefully it will be accepted by the IRB and I give the project my wholehearted support." The project is the brain-child of Worcester debenture holder Derrick Morgan, who has grown frustrated at the number of questionable goal decisions made by match officials.

Morgan believes the problem is more acute at grounds shared with football clubs, where the in-goal area is smaller and the posts are shorter. He enlisted the help of Duncan Williams, chairman of advanced technology company IAT Limited.