Rugby League: Farrell's shoulder problem

THE WIGAN coach, John Dorahy, has appealed to the Great Britain management to give his outstanding young forward, Andrew Farrell, a rest.

Farrell aggravated a shoulder injury in Wednesday night's victory over Sheffield Eagles and will not play against Oldham on Sunday. He is due, however, to play for the Great Britain Under-21 side against France next Thursday and Dorahy fears that match could set him back again.

Dorahy claimed at the time that the 18-year-old Farrell should not have made his Test debut in the third Test against New Zealand earlier this month because of the shoulder. 'I know at his age that I would have done the same and played,' he said. 'But I hope for the sake of his long-term future that he is not going to be coerced into putting his body on the line again.'

Wigan's other shoulder injury victims, Shaun Edwards and Nigel Wright, had X-rays during the second half of the Sheffield match. They have been cleared of serious damage and could play against Oldham. Martin Dermott and Denis Betts are likely to be available.

Wigan face a further delay in their on-going attempts to sign the All Black winger, Va'aiga Tuigamala, who is due to promote his autobiography after the end of the current tour, and will not make a decision on his future until after that.

Paul Bishop is struggling to be fit to play for Halifax against his old club, St Helens, tonight. Bishop has had keyhole surgery on his knee but is desperate to return to Knowsley Road for a match that Halifax need to win if they are to keep in touch with the top of the table.

The Great Britain prop, Karl Harrison, is also hoping to be fit after an ankle injury, but John Fieldhouse, another former St Helens player, stands by to deputise.

Steve Prescott, a member of a famous rugby league family, makes his home debut at full-back for Saints in the continued absence of David Lyon.