Rugby Union

The Scottish Rugby Union yesterday increased the ban imposed on the Stirling County centre James McLaren for kicking Melrose's Craig Chalmers in the head during the Tennent's Premiership match between the two clubs at Bridgehaugh. McLaren was originally suspended for 20 weeks, but the SRU rejected his appeal and increased his ban by six weeks.

Barry Williams, the Neath hooker, has withdrawn from the Emerging Wales side to play Scotland A in Edinburgh tomorrow. Williams, who has tonsilitis, is replaced by Llanelli's Robin McBryde, while the Cardiff hooker, Paul Young, moves up as a replacement.

Derek Bevan, the Welsh referee, will take charge of the Heineken European Cup final between Leicester and Brive at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday week. Bevan recently extended his world record to 32 internationals when he controlled the second Test between France and South Africa in Paris.

The World Cup qualifying match between Sri Lanka and Singapore, scheduled for Saturday in Colombo, has been postponed for security reasons.