Other rugby news in brief
Robinson fears for Test rugby
EDINBURGH head coach Andy Robinson fears Test rugby could become a mirror image of international football if the game's latest club-versus-country row is not resolved in the latter's favour.
The International Rugby Board are trying to negotiate a short-term fix in the dispute between Scotland and English clubs over player release. Scottish Rugby lodged an official complaint with the IRB after Premier Rugby (PRL), the umbrella organisation representing Premiership teams, blocked players attending Monday's first training session of the new season at Murrayfield.
Premier Rugby insist they were within their rights to impose the blanket ban as they are only obliged to release players five days before an agreed quota of Test matches.
Their stance has infuriated Scottish Rugby, who want access to players two weeks before Tests.
Robinson, who it was revealed yesterday will be involved in the selection of the Scotland team, knows all about the frustration of being denied access to his players from his time in charge of England.
"Two weeks is the right time to prepare. I think everyone agrees it is, everyone knows it is.
He added: ""As soon as we diminish the international game, that will affect the way the club game is run. We've got to be careful we don't go down the soccer route where the clubs are dictating who plays internationals."
The IRB will meet at the end of November in a bid to ratify new regulations governing all aspects of player release.
However, Scotland play three crucial Tests earlier that month against New Zealand, South Africa and Canada, the results of which will determine their ranking for the 2011 World Cup draw.
The IRB are therefore attempting to thrash out a temporary agreement between Scottish Rugby and Premier Rugby.
European Cup attracted Carter
NEW ZEALAND'S Dan Carter revealed the lure of Heineken Cup rugby attracted him to French side Perpignan.
The outhalf will join USAP in December, on a seven-month contract. Carter, currently in Perpignan, has completed the formalities of his transfer .
When asked why he had chosen to come and join the club he said: "Because Perpignan are playing in the Heineken Cup. It is a competition that I have followed closely on the television and which I have a great respect for."
England to host women's RWC
ENGLAND has been chosen to host the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup. The tournament, which will be staged in London, was subject to detailed tenders from the English Rugby Football Union and German Rugby Union.
Rugby World Cup chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "The Rugby Football Union has considerable experience of hosting major international rugby tournaments, including Rugby World Cup.
"With world-class facilities, strong tournament management and infrastructure and an extensive and enthusiastic support base for women's rugby, it is perfectly placed to host a memorable and successful Women's Rugby World Cup."
The tournament was last held in Edmonton, Canada in 2006.
Leading referee criticised
A LEADING English Premiership referee has been heavily criticised by the Rugby Football Union's disciplinary chief.
Judge Jeff Blackett found fault with Martin Fox, who took charge of the Premiership match between Wasps and Worcester earlier this month.
An incident during the Adams Park encounter led to Wasps and England back-row star James Haskell being cited. Haskell received a one-week ban for striking an opponent with his head. But a three-man RFU disciplinary panel, chaired by Blackett, criticised Fox and match citing officer Matt Bayliss in a no-holds-barred fashion.
The panel claimed video footage of the incident "showed much more detail" than Bayliss reported, and said Worcester's Tom Wood (clearing out) and Greg Rawlinson (punching) should have been cited for offences committed during the fracas.
In Blackett's signed report following the Haskell hearing in London, he said: "The referee was very close to the incident and must have had a clear view of what occurred, yet he took no or insufficient disciplinary action."
Blackett continued: "Unfortunately, the citing officer also took insufficient action. His written observation of what occurred failed to describe adequately or properly the full extent of the various offences committed."
Deans names four new caps
TEENAGER James O'Connor is set to become the second-youngest player ever to pull on an Australia jersey after being named in the squad to tour Europe later this year.
The 18-year-old utility back was one of four new caps unveiled in Robbie Deans's 34-man squad yesterday, joining Western Force team-mate David Pocock, Queensland Reds fly-half Quade Cooper and New South Wales Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu.
Reds winger Digby Ioane and Brumbies lock Mark Chisholm also return after being omitted from Australia's squad for the Tri-Nations.
All players from the Tri-Nations squad were retained apart from Rocky Elsom and Dan Vickerman who have have moved to Europe.
Backs:Ashley-Cooper, Barnes, Burgess, Cooper, Cordingley, Cross, Giteau, Hynes, Ioane, Mitchell, Mortlock (captain), O'Connor, Sheehan, Tahu, Tuqiri, Turner. Forwards:Alexander, Baxter, Brown, Chisholm, Dunning, Freier, Horwill, Kepu, McMeniman, Moore, Mumm, Palu, Pocock, Polota-Nau, Robinson, Sharpe, Smith, Phil Waugh
