Rugby takes roof

Cardiff's Millennium Stadium is set to host the first major rugby match under a closed roof on May 27th when Wales take on the French Barbarians.

National team coach Graham Henry has already named a full-strength squad in preparation for the fixture and is pleased to be part of another Welsh entry in the record books.

He said: "This will be a fantastic occasion. No one has ever played a rugby game of this stature in an indoor arena before - it will be a truly historic day for the sport and for Wales."

He added: "The game will also set the benchmark to those aspiring players going on Wales' development tour to Canada."

French Barbarians spokesman Marcel Martin expects to field an all-star line-up. With players like Emile Ntamack, Christophe Dominici and Thierry Lacroix currently available, he said: "We will be bringing the strongest available French team to the Millennium Stadium and are proud to be a part of such a landmark occasion in the history of rugby."

The game is scheduled to kick off at 5.30 p.m., but the gates will open from 2 p.m., giving fans the chance to watch the European Cup final between Munster and Northampton live on the big screens.