RUGBY DIGEST/ CELEBRATION MATCH: Argentina have been invited to play the world champions South Africa in a Test match in August to mark former president Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday, the Argentine union (UAR) said yesterday.
The UAR has contacted European club authorities to ask for the release of their international players for the Test in Johannesburg.
The majority of the Pumas squad who helped Argentina finish third in last year's World Cup in France are based at French and English clubs and will be involved in pre-season training when the Test is scheduled to be played between August 2nd and 9th.
"Once this matter has been settled in the coming days the UAR will confirm its participation in the match," the union said in a statement on Monday.
Mandela, a keen rugby follower who was South Africa's president when the Springboks won the World Cup for the first time in 1995, was born on July 18th, 1918.
The UAR, having elected a new president and board last week, is looking to begin a proposed transition towards professional rugby so the Pumas can play in a major annual international competition, most likely the Tri-Nations.
The Pumas' only tests this year will come in the June and November international windows.
Haskell confident he will be fit to face Scots
SIX NATIONS: The prospect of England being forced into a backrow reshuffle against Scotland next week receded yesterday when James Haskell insisted he would be fit for selection for the Calcutta Cup encounter at Murrayfield despite twisting an ankle in Paris last Saturday, writes Robert Kitson.
A scan has confirmed that the 22-year-old Wasps flanker suffered no serious damage and, although the joint is still inflamed, he remains confident of being available to win his sixth cap. "I genuinely believe I'll be back in time," he said. "It's got to be managed properly but I did some light jogging today and hopefully I'll be back running properly by the end of the week."
England have already had their Six Nations plans complicated by injuries to the backrow forwards Lewis Moody, Tom Rees, Joe Worsley and Nick Easter. Tom Croft, however, enjoyed a highly creditable Test debut as a first-half replacement for Haskell in the 24-13 win at Stade de France and both Easter and Worsley are now fit again.
The national coach, Brian Ashton, can only hope he is still spoilt for choice on Sunday night after the domestic weekend. Haskell may be absent from the Wasps side who travel to Newcastle on Friday but the majority of his colleagues are likely to be required, as will Gloucester's sizeable Scottish contingent when their team visit Harlequins on Saturday.
- Guardian Service
Bath sign Harrison
ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP: Bath have further bolstered their secondrow options for next season by signing the former Australia lock Justin Harrison on a one-year contract from Ulster.
Bath have compensated for the impending departure of England international Steve Borthwick to Saracens by signing Harrison and Leeds captain Stuart Hooper in the space of 24 hours.
Harrison played 34 Tests for Australia after making his debut against the Lions in 2001 and Bath coach Steve Meehan believes he will prove an inspirational signing.
Mallett rings the changes
SIX NATIONS: Italy coach Nick Mallett revamped his squad yesterday for next month's Six Nations match against France, the cited duo Mauro Bergamasco and Carlo Del Fava among those left out.
Wing Kaine Robertson returns after injury while Fabio Ongaro comes back into the squad and Viadana's Jacobus Erasmus is given a first call-up.
ITALY(squad): Backs: Mi Bergamasco, G Canale, J Erasmus, A Galante, E Galon, A Marcato, A Masi, E Patrizio, S Picone, K Robertson, A Sgarbi. Forwards: M Bortolami, M Castrogiovanni, L Ghiraldini, A Lo Cicero, C Nieto, F Ongaro, S Parisse (capt), S Perugini, J Sole, P Travagli, A Zanni.
