Rugby Union: Guscott's SA tour hopes fade

JEREMY GUSCOTT'S participation in England's tour of South Africa is becoming decreasingly likely as the deadline imposed by the new manager, Jack Rowell, becomes imminent. In effect, the Lions centre has until Sunday to report some decisive progress in his pelvic condition, writes Steve Bale.

Rowell has already had to do without Guscott almost all this season in his other role as Bath coach, which ends with tomorrow's Pilkington Cup final against Leicester. The England party leave next Wednesday.

Neil Boobyer, another centre who has had a long-term injury, will fill in at full-back for Llanelli in tomorrow's Swalec Cup final against Cardiff at the Arms Park. The move is caused by an ankle injury to Ian Jones, who will, however, sit on the bench.

It will be the seventh final for three Scarlets: the Wales captain Ieuan Evans, Nigel Davies and Phil Davies. Cardiff will pit seven Welsh internationals against Llanelli's 14 but the seven do not include the fit- again Simon Hill, as Steve Ford keeps his place.

Cardiff (v Llanelli, Swalec Cup final, Cardiff Arms Park, tomorrow): M Rayer; S Ford, M Hall (capt), C Laity, N Walker; A Davies, A Moore; M Griffiths, J Humphreys, L Mustoe, D Jones, A Rees, M Bennett, O Williams, M Budd. Replacements: C John, J Hewlett, P Sedgemore, H Bevan, H Stone, V Davies.

Llanelli: N Boobyer; I Evans, S Davies N Davies, W Proctor; C Stephens, R Moon (capt); R Evans, A Lamerton, H Williams-Jones, P Davies, A Copsey, E Lewis, S Quinnell, M Perego. Replacements: I Jones, J Strange, H Harries, P Young, S John, P Jones.