■ Rugby Union
Jonny out of England tour
Jonny Wilkinson's hopes of playing for England again in Australia, where he helped them win the World Cup in 2003, were shattered yesterday when he was ruled out of the forthcoming tour. Wilkinson played the last 50 minutes of Newcastle's 27-22 defeat to London Irish in the European Challenge Cup semi-final as he continued his comeback from a groin injury, but ended the match limping. Asked after the game if Wilkinson would benefit from touring with the national squads during the off-season, Newcastle director of rugby Rob Andrew replied: "Jonny won't be touring this summer, to Australia, Canada or anywhere else." Yesterday's game was Wilkinson's second game in his comeback from a groin injury.
■ Cricket
Contracts still unresolved
West Indies cricket officials are threatening again to overlook players for the national team if they can't settle on contracts within the next 10 days. The 18-month-old dispute could force West Indies to resort to fielding second-rate teams as it did last year against South Africa and Sri Lanka. The West Indies Cricket Board gave a deadline of last Friday to complete central contracts with its top players, but no agreement was reached between board representative Deryck Murray and Players Association chief Dinanath Ramnarine, both agreed to meet again today.
■ Soccer
Socceroos hit by injuries
Australia's World Cup hopes were hit by a four-pronged injury scare following the weekend's FA Cup and Premier League matches in England. First-choice goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone, winger Harry Kewell a groin problem and midfielder Tim Cahill a knee injury. Striker Mark Viduka failed to start Middlesbrough's FA Cup semi-final against West Ham United due to a thigh injury. Australia begin their first World Cup finals campaign for 32 years on June 12 against Japan. Brazil and Croatia are the other teams in Group F.
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