Clarke's hopes lifted

Hopes are rising that Phil Clarke will be able to play again despite breaking his neck, writes Dave Hadfield. The former Wigan and Great Britain loose forward cracked the fourth vertebra in his spinal column in three places while playing for Sydney City Roosters against North Queensland on Saturday.

It was feared that his career was over, but tests have shown that there is no permanent damage. Clarke is hoping to play again before the end of this season, but a comeback next year could be a more realistic target.

His mother and father are with him in Sydney after arriving for a holiday unaware of the injury that had befallen him during their journey.

Shaun McRae, the St Helens coach, expects to have Paul Newlove available for the Good Friday derby against Wigan. Newlove went off with a suspected broken thumb on Sunday, but passed an examination yesterday. Simon Booth, however, is out for at least three weeks with medial ligament damage, putting his Wembley place in some doubt. Derek McVey is under consideration as his replacement against Wigan.

McRae is asking the Rugby League whether four replacements will now be allowed at Wembley, in line with the other rule changes introduced for Super League which will also apply for the final. "As I understand it, all the other new rules will be in use, so I can't see why we should be limited to two substitutes," McRae said.

Wigan are to sign Chris and Phil Farrell, the 15-year-old twin brothers of their Great Britain loose forward, Andy.

Maurice Lindsay, the European Super League chief executive, hailed the attendances on the first weekend of summer rugby as a triumph. The average of more than 9,000 for the opening matches in the top division was the best since the one division system was scrapped in 1973.