Rugby League: Leeds deny foul on use of reserves

LEEDS have denied that they are making a mockery of the Second Division by hiving off five players with Super League experience to their junior partners, Bramley.

The Leeds chief executive, Gary Hetherington, insisted reports that Terry Newton, Gavin Brown, Adam Hughes, Marvin Golden and Phil Cantillon were all joining Bramley were premature. "These are players who will not make our starting line-up, but we will need them at some stage during the season," he said. "We are not running an A team, but we want them to be playing rugby. They are available to other clubs, as well as to Bramley who, in any case, are only allowed three loan players."

Squad trimming by the new Leeds coach, Graham Murray, is likely to see last season's regular centre, Phil Hassan, transferred to Halifax this week, while Super League clubs are being circulated about the availability of the prop forward Jamie Field.

Warrington want to follow the lead of Wigan by moving to a new, all-seater stadium in their home town. The club's chief executive, John Smith, has opened talks with the council and sponsors about the need for a new ground if Warrington are to hold their own in Super League. "We are hemmed in on all sides at Wilderspool," he said.

Wigan, just 12 miles up the A49 from Warrington, are to press ahead with their plans for a custom-built ground that they will share with Wigan Athletic, following their shareholders' vote to allow Dave Whelan, the football club's chairman, to take over the rugby club.

l Oxford will try to end a four-year losing streak against Cambridge in the Varsity match at Richmond tonight. The referee will be Julia Lee, from Hull.