Aboriginals set to face England at World Sevens

The Australian Aboriginals have claimed the final, wild-card place to face England in the World Sevens in Sydney this weekend by winning the qualifying tournament.

The Aboriginals came out on top after a day of competition in Sydney between teams from Italy, Japan, the USA and the Coogee Dolphins, the junior club that lost several of its players in the Bali bombing.

Led by the former St Helens player Darrell Trindall, the Aboriginals beat the New Zealand Maori 26-12 in the final and now go into a group with England and Tonga in the tournament proper.

Meanwhile, the England captain, Andy Farrell, has played down his side's chances of success after heading for Australia with a squad limited to one player from each Super League club. "It's a good strong side, but if you look at it realistically it's not the strongest that could have come from Great Britain," he said.

Four clubs, including the Sydney City Roosters, have been fined for salary cap breaches during the the 2002 National Rugby League season. The Roosters won the championship after the leaders, Canterbury Bulldogs, were deducted 37 points for a more serious breach of the salary cap. They are set to play St Helens in the World Club Challenge on 14 February and have also been installed as favourites for the Sevens.

Union Treize Catalane have agreed to play their Powergen Challenge Cup fourth round tie against St Helens a week on Saturday rather than the following day. Saints had hoped to play on the Friday in order to give themselves more time to prepare to play the Roosters. "It's still far from ideal and we aren't very happy about it," said a club spokesman. "The party won't be back in Britain until Sunday night."

Saints are confident of having Paul Sculthorpe fit for the trip to France after he missed the cross-code game against Sale on Monday.

The former Great Britain prop Dale Laughton has joined the coaching staff of his first professional club, the Sheffield Eagles, after being released by Warrington because of persistent back problems. "Dale will be working with the young forwards," said the Eagles' player-coach Mark Aston. "He has a wealth of experience."

Saracens have confirmed the signing of the former England winger Nathan McAvoy from the Bradford Bulls.