SPORT/Digest/ROWING: A stand-off between the athletes and team manager Mick O'Callaghan, which resulted in an effective boycott by the athletes of last weekend's trials for lightweight men, is expected to be resolved this weekend. No lightweight men were picked for the first World Cup regatta at Hazewinkel next weekend, June 14th to 16th, writes Liam Gorman.

A plan to resolve the crisis is to be put to Sunday's meeting of the executive of the Irish Amateur Rowing Union. "I suspect that there will be a solution on Sunday," said IARU president Frank Durkin yesterday.

The official Ireland entry for Hazewinkel consists solely of the women's lightweight double of Sinéad Jennings and Heather Boyle.

MOTOR RACING: Giancarlo Fisichella yesterday hinted that Eddie Irvine could be making a return to Jordan next year in place of the struggling Takuma Sato, even though the Japanese is midway through a supposedly unbreakable two-year first block of a five-year deal with the team, writes Justin Hynes.

"I think it would be great," said the Italian when asked how he would feel about racing with the Irishman next year.

"I think Eddie is a good driver and a friendly guy. Taku hasn't got the experience yet. Sometimes he looks quick but also perhaps a bit too aggressive. He has been unlucky but I'm sure the second half of the season will be better for him."

Irvine's contract with troubled Jaguar runs out at the end of this season, although it has been suggested that the Ford-backed team will keep the Irishman on on a one-year deal.

CRICKET: Holders North County take on Strabane in the first round of the Irish Senior Cup, sponsored by Royal Liver, at Balrothery (1.0), writes Karl Johnston.

The match was originally scheduled for Strabane on May 25th, but was called off because of rain.

North County pulled off a convincing second-round victory over the same opposition when they won by 192 runs at Balrothery in last season's competition.