Rugby Union: WRU finds itself in court: Legal twist in Welsh internecine battle

THE season has not even begun but already the haven of internecine rivalry otherwise known as the Welsh Rugby Union finds itself hauled up in court as its continuing duel with its secretary, Denis Evans, rumbles on.

Just as the WRU was yesterday launching the fourth season of its Heineken National League so it was announcing that it would 'vigorously contest' a High Court attempt by Evans to prevent an inquiry into allegations about his running of the union. Evans and the WRU commercial executive, Jonathan Price, have been on paid leave since 11 June. The hearing will take place on 6 September.

Even the league, which kicks off next Saturday, is not

immune from the endemic inability of Welsh rugby folk to pull together. Ieuan Evans, who captained Wales last season, suggested in an article that the combined effect of league, autumn internationals, other representative fixtures and training camp would leave the players 'either superbly conditioned for the start of the championship or worn out.'

He added: 'I'm sure I speak for many of the top players when I say we should have to play far fewer league fixtures.' With Heineken paying directly into the players' pool, there is no chance of that. In fact the size of the divisions was increased in 1992 so that there should be more league games: 22.

Scott Gibbs appears more likely than not to turn professional after he gets back from holiday next week. The Lions centre is subject of an offer from St Helens of around pounds 350,000, a tempting inducement for a 22- year-old whose earnings last year from the promotional activities fixed up for him by the union and Swansea came to something like pounds 335,000 less than that.

Nick Popplewell, Ireland's

Lions prop, is considering a move to Bath though he intends starting the season as usual with Greystones and would have to serve a 120-day qualification

period on joining.