Wilkinson moves to defend 'inspirational' coach Henry

RUGBY: England outhalf Jonny Wilkinson has defended Lions' coach Graham Henry in the wake of criticism from Austin Healey, claiming he found the New Zealander "inspirational".

Speaking in his season's diary, Lions and Falcons, Wilkinson said: "I did find him inspirational.

"What differed from the approach I was used to was his final team talk before matches. He spelt out what he wanted. I, like some of the others, preferred something more general to stir us up for the battle ahead."

RUGBY: David Wallace is out of the Munster team to play Bridgend in the Heineken European Cup tomorrow at Musgrave Park. His place will be taken by Alan Quinlan, with Shannon flanker Colm McMahon named among the replacements.

RUGBY: Chris Latham scored a first-half hat-trick as the world champion Australians ran in 13 tries as they warmed up for tests against Wales, England and France with a 92-10 victory over Spain in Madrid yesterday.

TENNIS: World number one Gustavo Kuerten and title-holder Marat Safin crashed out of the Paris Masters Series yesterday, leaving the door open for outsiders to win the last tournament on the ATP circuit.

Kuerten and Safin were the last two big-name players left in the draw after Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Pat Rafter pulled out while US Open champion Lleyton Hewitt and Briton Tim Henman lost early on. Kuerten lost to unseeded Dutchman Sjeng Schalken 4-6 6-4 6-4, while Safin bowed out 6-4 6-4 to Swede Andreas Vinciguerra.

GOLF: Six of Ireland's leading golf courses have launched a combined marketing initiative, in response to the slowdown, particularly from the US since September 11th.

Druids Glen, The K Club, Mount Juliet, Luttrellstown Castle, Portmarnock Hotel and Links and Rathsallagh House will be promoted by Green Isle Golf, which will be focusing on the east/southeast of the country.

The initiative aims to heighten awareness of the participating clubs on the international circuit. The collaboration will feature a series of targeted sponsorships, and cross-marketing programmes with other leisure and travel partners. The unified promotional effort will focus primarily on the upmarket leisure and business traveller market.