Royal assent for Six appeal

One of rugby's most open secrets was shared almost apologetically with the public yesterday when it was revealed that the Six Nations' Championship will be sponsored for the next three seasons by the Royal Bank of Scotland. Announcing the successor to previous backers Lloyds TSB, Jacques Laurans, chairman of the Six Nations' Committee, said: "The Royal Bank is a perfect partner for the world's greatest rugby tournament."

The England prop Trevor Woodman faces surgery on the neck and shoulder problem which forced him to miss England's recent internationals against Australia and South Africa. The Gloucester forward was injured during a scrummaging session, thus enabling Jason Leonard to boost his tally of England caps to 99. "We think there's a possibility of surgery. If Trevor does need an operation, then he could be out for around 12 weeks," said Gloucester's director of rugby Nigel Melville. If Woodman goes under the knife and a three-month lay-off ensues, Leonard should win his 100th cap in the Six Nations opener against France on 15 February.

Ulster produced a stirring fightback yesterday to beat Glasgow 20-17 at Hughenden and earn a Celtic League semi-final date with Munster in Limerick. After an exchange of penalties by Tommy Hayes and Ulster's David Humphreys, Jonny Bell powered over for the visitors. Humphreys converted, before Hayes slotted his second penalty and Glenn Metcalfe, Gordon Bulloch and Calvin Howarth combined to set up a Jon Steel try. Hayes landed two further penalites to open a seven-point gap, but Ulster bounced back when Andy Ward flopped across the line. Humphreys, who supplied the conversion, then sealed victory in the closing minutes with a long-range penalty.

The Newcastle forward Richard Arnold believes the Falcons will begin their climb from the foot of the Zurich Premiership table with a home victory over fellow strugglers Bristol today. Making light of the absence of the England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson until after Christmas with a shoulder injury, the former Wales A flanker said: "We've been here before at the bottom of the table, but this time it's different. This time, this club has a lot more potential. We're good enough to pull ourselves out of this." Newcastle will hand the Auckland hooker James Christian a first-team debut, but their Tongan flanker, Epi Taione, is ruled out because of World Cup qualifying commitments.

Third-placed Leeds welcome back Diego Albanese, Gordon Ross and Mark Regan for this afternoon's meeting with Wasps at Headingley. Lawrence Dallaglio, is serving a one-match ban while his Wasps team-mates, Rob Howley, Alex King and Simon Shaw, all face late fitness tests.

In the Powergen Cup fifth round, Halifax of National League Three North gave visitors Worcester, second in the first division, a scare before going down 13-12. Exeter, 36-13 winners over London Welsh, and Orrell, who beat Plymouth Albion 8-3, also went through.