Players in disgrace

rugby league

Disgraced Leigh players have been told to hand in their club blazers after going out on the town following a record defeat on Sunday. Their chairman, Mick Higgins, has reacted furiously to reports that players went out drinking in their Leigh regalia following their 94-4 thrashing by Workington Town in the Silk Cut Challenge Cup.

"To do that shows a total lack of pride in the club. They should have been at home with their heads buried in their hands like I was," said Higgins, who has been "deluged" with complaints from supporters. "If they don't want to behave like professionals, they don't deserve to look like professionals."

The club's coach, Ian Lucas, is equally angry about the affair, and has threatened wholesale changes for the match against Barrow on Sunday. "The players showed a total lack of professionalism on and off the field last week, and they will have to pay for it," he said.

Lucas has transfer-listed two of the club's most experienced players, John Gunning and Mark Meadows, and warned others that their futures are in the balance.

The timing is unfortunate for Leigh, who were hoping to be looking towards a brighter future this week as they secure their financial position by sharing their Hilton Park ground with Horwich RMI.

Adrian Spencer, the Cambridge University student banned from rugby union after that code's Varsity match, when it was revealed he had played league for the London Crusaders, will be player-coach of his university in the league Varsity game.

Spencer will play in the match at London Welsh next Tuesday, despite a broken bone in his hand, but an Oxford side captained by the Scottish Students scrum-half, Jock Walker, will start as favourites.

Shaun Irwin will play no further part in Oldham's increasingly successful season. The former Castleford centre will be out for seven months with severe damage to his cruciate ligament.

France have been hit by further injury problems before Sunday's John Smith's European Championship decider against Wales. Both their first- choice second rows, Didier Cabestany and Danny Divet, are now ruled out and the naturalised Australian, Brian Coles, makes his debut.

FRANCE (v Wales, Sunday, Carcassonn): Lucchese (Sheffield); Sirvent, Millet (both Saint-Gaudens), Chamorin, Garcia (both Saint-Esteve), Despin (Limoux), Entat (Leeds), Teixido (Limoux), Torreilles, Jaavuo (both Pia), Attia (Cannes), Coles (XIII Catalan), Valero (Lezignan). Substitutes: Banquet (Featherstone), Hebert (Pia), Llong (XIII Catalan), Pech (Pia).