Sporting Digest: Rugby Union

NIGEL WALKER has withdrawn from the Wales squad for next weekend's World Cup Sevens at Murrayfield. The wife of the former Olympic hurdler is expecting their first child in August. Swansea's Simon Davies takes Walker's place.

IN the Swalec Cup semi-finals on 24 April, Llanelli will play Swansea on the Cardiff club ground (3.15) while Neath meet Bridgend at Llanelli (1.30).

DEAN RYAN, the Wasps captain, is out of Saturday's Pilkington Cup semi-final against Harlequins with injured knee ligaments. Matt Greenwood switches from No 8 to lock and Chris Wilkins comes into the back row. Alan Buzza returns at full-back and Steve Bates leads the side. In the other tie, Northampton's John Steele and Seb Tubb are fit to face Leicester at Welford Road. Ian Hunter, though, misses out with a hamstring injury.

WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP (Lille, Fr): Group A1: France 97 Czech/Slovak Republics 6; Argentina 50 Romania 7; Italy 15 Uruguay 3; Poland 22 Spain 8. Group A2: Portugal 48 Denmark 3; Germany 20 Sweden 3; Paraguay 15 Morocco 9, Belgium 23 China 10.