RUGBY DIGEST - LIONS TOUR:Wales centre Tom Shanklin has handed the Lions a major injury scare – just 18 days before they leave for South Africa.
Shanklin suffered a shoulder injury during Cardiff Blues’ 26-12 Magners League victory over Newport Gwent Dragons at the Arms Park last night.
He had earlier scored an interception try, but was forced off late in the game and had his right shoulder heavily strapped before heading for an x-ray.
WORLD CUP:Australia has formally withdrawn its plans to bid for either the 2015 or 2019 Rugby World Cups, saying the fees for the tournaments are too expensive in the current global financial crisis.
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said it had wanted to bid for both events but was forced to pull out because it could not justify the cost amid the uncertainty of the world economy.
The ARU said the International Rugby Board had demanded a fee of €91m for 2015 and €109m for 2019.
The successful host nation was also required to bear all the costs of staging the event, with their only income derived from ticket sales.
“Rather than submit a tender that would be ruled ineligible, ARU has reluctantly decided to withdraw from the tender process for both tournaments,” the ARU said in a statement yesterday.
“ARU is extremely disappointed but the risk associated with underwriting guarantees for tournaments six and 10 years into the future would not be in the best interests of Australian rugby.”
HEINEKEN CUP:Leicester outhalf Toby Flood will be out of action for six months after rupturing his left Achilles during the Tigers' Heineken Cup semi-final victory over Cardiff Blues last Sunday.
Flood underwent surgery last night and he will miss Leicester’s bid for an English Premiership and Heineken Cup double and England’s summer Test series against Argentina.
Leicester head coach Richard Cockerill said: “It is very disappointing news for Toby at the end of his first season with the club. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back into the squad.”
TRI-NATIONS:All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union for another two years, joining a long procession of top players to commit themselves to the 2011 World Cup.
ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP:Former Australian World Cup winner Justin Harrison has been cleared by an RFU disciplinary panel of making contact with the eyes or eye area of Saracens' Steve Borthwick after the final whistle of the Premiership match at the Rec on April 25th.
