Humberside derby in doubt after clubs fall out over terms

Humberside derbies could be a thing of the past following the failure of Hull and Hull Kingston Rovers to agree terms for their pre-season match.

The clubs were due to meet on 9 January to contest the Clive Sullivan Trophy. A 14,000 crowd watched their last game, but Hull are looking for other opponents after Rovers turned down a bigger share of the proceeds. "I can't say what will happen to the fixture," said Rovers' chief executive, Paul Lakin.

Castleford's new coach, Terry Matterson, has rejected trying to talk the former Australian Test loose forward, Luke Ricketson, out of retirement. "I'm wary of bringing in someone right at the end of his career," said Matterson. Cas still have two vacancies on their overseas quota - one is likely to be taken by the Cronulla stand-off Adam Dykes.

Australian clubs have begun to marshal their arguments against the plan for a World Cup in their country in March 2006.

The Australian Rugby League has proposed a tournament before the start of their domestic season. "In an age when we're talking about wear and tear on players, we're asking them to play high-intensity games in the pre-season," said South Sydney's chief executive, Shane Richardson.