Doubt for Rodber

Rugby Union: Round-up

A TWISTED left knee and ankle have further dented Tim Rodber's hopes of retaining his England place for the Five Nations' opener against France on Saturday week. The 6ft 6in flanker, whose place in Paris is by no means guaranteed after poor displays against South Africa and Western Samoa, was carried off late in Northampton's Courage League Two game against Nottingham yesterday.

After the Saints' 35-3 victory, which maintained their 100 per cent league record, a club spokesman said Rodber's injuries were not serious and he should be fit for the international. Meanwhile, Paul Grayson converted all five of his side's tries, one of which was scored by his England half- back partner Matt Dawson.

Paul Turner, the veteran Welsh fly-half, struck a blow for rugby's thirty- somethings with two left-footed drop goals from 35 yards as Sale trounced near neighbours Orrell 39-13 to consolidate their mid-table position in League One. Sale's tries came from Charlie Vyvyan, Graham Higginboth-am, Chris Yates, Dave Baldwin (who was also yellow-carded along with Orrell's Alex Bennett) and Mark Warr while Rob Liley supplied four conversions. The visitors claimed a Simon Mason penalty and two consolation tries - by Dan Luger, a Manchester University student making his league debut, and Ian Wynn.

London Scottish stayed second in League Two by beating Moseley 17-8 and a try hat-trick from Rob Henderson steered third-placed London Irish to a 39-16 victory over Waterloo.

The former Wales lock Glyn Llewellyn powered over for two tries as Neath rose to second in the Heineken League with a 20-3 success at Newbridge.

Swansea won 12-6 at Aberavon to stay fourth after falling behind to two Nick Stalk penalties. Aled Williams kicked four penalties after the break to secure Swansea's first away win in seven matches.

Andrew Williams helped himself to three tries as Bridgend crushed Abertillery 37-15, but the Gwent side's two tries lifted them off the bottom at Aberavon's expense. Treorchy, the third team on seven points at the foot of the table, conceded 32 second-half points to lose 40-6 at Ebbw Vale.