Rugby League: Offiah to miss Sevens over insurance wrangle

MARTIN OFFIAH was last night withdrawn from the Great Britain squad for the World Sevens in Australia and replaced by Featherstone's Martin Pearson.

The 28-year-old wing had been expected to be among the 10-man party leaving this morning for next weekend's Sydney event after an insurance wrangle - which also involved Offiah's club, Wigan, and his agent, Alan McColm - had apparently been settled.

The Rugby League thought it had sorted out the problem by agreeing to top up Offiah's international insurance cover to what it considered was a satisfactory level.

The row, though, was back on again because of claims that the cover was still insufficient. The Rugby League's David Howes said: 'We tried to offer a mediation service, but the demands being made make that impossible.'

Meanwhile Shaun Edwards, Wigan's Test half-back, withdrew from the squad because of injury. Edwards, who will be replaced by his Wigan team-mate, Phil Clarke, has a shoulder problem.

Edwards, who played in Wigan's 24-16 Silk Cut Challenge Cup defeat of Wakefield Trinity yesterday, said: 'The physios have advised me not to make the trip.'