Fit-again Lomu looking for game time in England

News: Former All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu is hoping to make a return to competitive rugby in England.

The 30-year-old - who had a kidney transplant last year and has not played international rugby since 2002 after being diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome - reports he is in negotiations with English clubs.

The giant winger underwent surgery on a shoulder injury sustained in Martin Johnson's testimonial at Twickenham in June.

"My shoulder's feeling good after surgery, but I have not been able to play for North Harbour because of it," he said.

"The season in New Zealand will end soon, and I'm looking for regular rugby in the off-season. We are talking to a couple of English clubs, and that decision won't be made until I get back home."

Lomu's encouraging words for Japan's bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup are, meanwhile, likely to cause a stir in his home country, which is hoping to stage the same event.

"If the World Cup came to Japan it is going to grow the global game," Lomu told the South China Morning Post.

"Everyone always talks about the best things in terms of growing the game, and in this regard I think it is time for the World Cup to come to Japan and Asia."

Japan and New Zealand are bidding for the hosting rights along with South Africa. The International Rugby Board will decide in November.

"If Japan wins it, rugby will just get bigger," said Lomu. "The game is going to be more accessible to everyone and more open to Asia. A World Cup in Japan will show that rugby is truly a global game."

In Scotland, Borders flanker Andy Miller and his Edinburgh counterpart Simon Cross look likely to compete for the openside berth in the November internationals after they were both named in a 34-man squad yesterday.

Scotland have lacked a genuine openside for several seasons and the in-form Miller could provide the answer with his dynamic attack and strong defence.

Coach Frank Hadden's first squad will train at Murrayfield next week in the first stage of their preparations for matches against Argentina, Samoa and the All Blacks.

SCOTLAND SQUAD: Backs - Mike Blair, Andy Craig, Chris Cusiter, Simon Danielli, Marcus Di Rollo, Andrew Henderson, Ben Hinshelwood, Sean Lamont, Rory Lamont, Stuart Moffat, Dan Parks, Chris Paterson, Gordon Ross, Hugo Southwell, Simon Webster. Forwards - Kelly Brown, Simon Cross, Paul Dearlove, Bruce Douglas, Ross Ford, Scott Gray, Dougie Hall, Craig Hamilton, Allister Hogg, Allan Jacobsen, Alastair Kellock, Gavin Kerr, Scott Lawson, Andy Miller, Scott Murray, Craig Smith, Simon Taylor, Andrew Wilson, Jason White.