Adamson heads for Leeds

Leeds Rhinos have confirmed the signing of the 6ft 5in second-row Matt Adamson from Penrith Panthers. The 29-year-old former Australian international completes next year's overseas rota for the Headingley club, who were eliminated from the Super League play-offs by St Helens on Saturday.

"Matt will be a terrific asset for us," said the Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington. "He is a very big, mobile forward whose dynamic style will be well suited to our game."

The Rhinos have also re-signed prop Darren Fleary on a new two-year deal and are still in discussions with fellow forward Anthony Farrell, another player who is out of contract.

The St Helens stand-off Tommy Martyn has been severely reprimanded by the Rugby Football League, who accused him of unsportsmanlike behaviour. for the "foot of God" incident that held up Saturday's game against Leeds.

Martyn kicked a spare ball on to the pitch at a crucial time of the game, with Leeds on the attack as they battling to overcome a 10-point deficit.

Super League clubs are set to think again over proposals to cut the number of teams in the top flight to 10 by 2003. A recommendation to shed two teams at the end of next season, which was the central plank of a proposed overhaul of the game, was initially welcomed by club representatives, but several clubs are now having second thoughts and they will discuss the plan at a meeting on Friday before deciding on their next move.

The Wigan prop Neil Cowie has been ordered to appear before the RFL's disciplinary committee tomorrow on a charge of striking. He had been placed on report during the Warriors' 27-24 play-off win over Hull last Friday. Any ban would rule him out of Sunday's qualifying semi-final at Bradford.