Rugby League: Sell-outs at next two Tests

The second and third John Smith's Tests, at Old Trafford and Elland Road, have completely sold out within days of Great Britain's victory over Australia at Wembley.

The 44,000 tickets for Old Trafford on 5 November were exhausted yesterday morning, closely followed by the capacity of over 39,000 at Leeds United's ground on 20 November.

Britain and Australia are now assured of a record combined attendance and a 50-50 share of record receipts for a Test series anywhere in the world. 'The phones have been red-hot since Sunday,' a League spokesman said.

The League announced that there were no arrests or ejections in a crowd of over 57,000 at Wembley.

The draw for the first round of the Regal Trophy has produced some intriguing local derbies. The first round, involving Second Division, National Conference and leading amateur sides, as well as two from France, includes ties between Leigh and Leigh Miners' Welfare and between London Broncos and Hemel Hempstead.

The ties will be played on 26 and 27 November, apart from XIII Catalan's visit to Dewsbury and St Esteve's to Hunslet, which will be played the previous weekend because of France's Test preparations for Australia.