Byrne in the dark over new contract

Rugby/News Digest: LEINSTER: It appears contract negotiations between Shane Byrne and the IRFU have hit an impasse, writes John O'Sullivan.

The Ireland and Lions hooker was keen to conclude negotiations prior to heading for New Zealand, but that no longer looks feasible.

There was a suggestion Byrne, who played on Monday for the Lions against Argentina at the Millennium Stadium, had not been offered an international contract, but rather a provincial one: that appears to be somewhat wide of the mark.

The IRFU will not discuss individual contract negotiations, especially when they are not resolved. Byrne is now reaching a stage where he might have to consider other offers.

The 33-year-old has played 135 times for Leinster and in 38 Test matches for Ireland, but his long-standing relationship with the province could be at an end.

Wasps, Saracens and French club Castres Olympique are believed to be chasing his signature if he decides to pursue his career outside Ireland.

Leinster have already signed Bernard Jackman from Connacht and also have available the Blaneys, David and Brian, but it would, nevertheless, be surprising if they were to say goodbye to the first-choice Ireland hooker.

BARBARIANS: Frank Hadden's chances of landing the Scotland job on a full-time basis were done the power of good as his team swept aside the Barbarians 38-7 at Pittodrie last night.

Scotland embarked on a new era in great fashion by running in five tries, with man-of-the-match Andrew Henderson, Dougie Hall, Rory Lamont, Allan Jacobsen and Hugo Southwell all crossing the line.

Full back Chris Paterson also put the disappointment at missing out on the British and Irish Lions tour behind him by kicking 13 points.

Edinburgh boss Hadden, who was handed temporary charge following the sacking of Matt Williams, named a new-look team following player retirements and with key men missing.

SCOTLAND: Paterson, R Lamont, Di Rollo, Henderson, S Lamont, Ross, Blair, Jacobsen, Lawson, Douglas, Grimes, S Murray, Brown, Hogg, Petrie. Not Used: Hall, E Murray, Hamilton, Wilson, Beveridge, Parks, Southwell. Tries: Henderson, Hall, Lamont, Jacobsen, Southwell. Cons: Paterson 5. Pens: Paterson.

BARBARIANS: Dempsey, Lima, Burke, Maggs, Bobo, Humphreys, Redpath, Lo Cicero, Sheahan, Morris, Longwell, Venter, Finegan, Sititi, Miller. Not Used: Ibanez, Visagie, Boome, O'Connor, Robinson, Castaignede, Logan. Tries: Lo Cicero. Cons: Humphreys.

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRFU).

TEAM NEWS: Worcester flanker Pat Sanderson will captain England in Saturday's clash with the Barbarians at Twickenham.

Sanderson will skipper his country for the first time after an outstanding year at Sixways.

Jamie Noon is the only player in the 22-strong squad who will not be travelling to Canada for the Churchill Cup next month with the England management opting to rest the Newcastle centre.

Noon links up with powerful Wasps back Ayoola Erinle, who will be making his first appearance in an England shirt, in a highly promising midfield combination while Leicester's Andy Goode takes the outhalf duties.

Winger James Simpson-Daniel returns to the international arena following another injury-hit season and he is joined by Andy Gomarsall, his former Gloucester team-mate who has agreed a contract with Worcester.

Gomarsall has fallen out of favour with England head coach Andy Robinson, but his experience will prove useful to the development side and he has been named vice captain by Lydon.

In the forwards, promising Leicester second row Louis Deacon is given a chance at lock while Sanderson, Chris Jones and Hugh Vyvyan make up an athletic back row.

ENGLAND (team to face the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday): T Voyce (Wasps); P Sackey (Wasps), A Erinle (Wasps), J Noon (Wasps), J Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester); A Goode (Leicester), A Gomarsall (Gloucester); M Worsley (Harlequins), G Chuter (Leicester), M Ward (Newcastle), L Deacon (Leicester), T Palmer (Leeds), C Jones (Sale), P Sanderson (Worcester, capt), H Vyvyan (Saracens). Replacements: L Mears (Bath), R Morris (Northampton), S Hooper (Leeds), J Forrester (Gloucester), P Richards (Wasps), S Vesty (Leicester), M Tait (Newcastle).