Paris are prepared

Rugby League

Rugby League

DAVE HADFIELD

The Super League side based in Paris took its most convincing step forward so far yesterday when 70 players took part in trials in Toulouse.

The players, predominantly French but including more than 20 from the southern hemisphere, will eventually be pruned to a squad of 25.

Super League's international board chairman, Maurice Lindsay, said the trials were the most concrete evidence so far that the French club, based around the Paris St-Germain football organisation, will be ready for their first match - and the competition's opening tie - at home to Sheffield Eagles on 29 March, despite doubts about their progress. "People who think they are going to be slaughtered are underestimating the strength of the side they will put out," Lindsay said.

Both Wigan and St Helens are delaying the selection of their sides for the final of the Regal Trophy in Huddersfield tomorrow. Wigan's coach, Graeme West, is concerned about Kelvin Skerrett's back injury, but he has Neil Cowie available again after suspension.

Saints could leave their choice for a match which is heading for a 19,500 sell-out as late as tomorrow morning, and believe that all six of their players under treatment could come into contention.

Peter Roe, who resigned as coach of Barrow earlier this week, has been appointed coach at Swinton. He succeeds Tony Barrow, who becomes their chief executive.