Rugby Union: Teichmann fills breach as Newport's captain

NEWPORT HAVE appointed the former South African Test captain Gary Teichmann as club captain during the World Cup. Teichmann, who made his Black and Ambers debut last weekend, takes charge for tomorrow's Welsh- Scottish League game against Edinburgh Reivers in Kelso. He will step down when the Wales full-back, Shane Howarth, returns from World Cup duty.

The Australian Craig McMullen will make his Bristol debut in Sunday's Allied Dunbar Premiership game at Newcastle. McMullen, a Super 12 centre with ACT Brumbies, scored a try for the Premiership Allstars against England last weekend and goes straight into the Bristol side as Frank Bunce's midfield partner.

The Hong Kong international Luke Nabaro switches from centre to wing to accommodate McMullen, which means no starting place for Spencer Brown.

Another Australian, Richard Tombs, plays at full-back for the first time at senior level for Gloucester when they meet Wasps on Sunday. The 31- year-old Tombs, whose usual position is centre, said: "I think I have been picked for tactical reasons for this particular game but, naturally, I hope I can make a good job of it and compete for this position regularly."

Now in his third season with Gloucester, Tombs faces stiff competition in the centre following the arrival of Joe Ewens and Chris Yates. "I don't know whether I will be considered at full-back regularly - it depends on how well I play," he added.