Long commits rest of career to Saints

St Helens' Great Britain scrum-half, Sean Long, has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club into his thirties.

Long had one year to run on his current contract, but has agreed to stay for an extra four, entitling him to a testimonial and probably committing him to Saints for the rest of his playing days, despite recurring interest from rugby union.

"We are delighted that Sean has decided to stay at the club for the remainder of his career," Saints' chief executive, Sean McGuire, said. "He is a very valuable player to the team and this is another signal that we aim to build on our success over the last few years."

Widnes have abandoned plans to field a rugby union trialist at stand-off in their friendly against Saints tomorrow, because of "red tape".

In their friendly at Warrington, the London Broncos will give a run to the three finalists in their "Prop Idol" competition, which set out to find a Super League player of the future. James Hersey, Michael Lowis and Sam Wilson have all spent the week training with the club.

The Wolves have three players making their debuts – Brent Grose from South Sydney and Ian Sibbit and Michael Wainwright, returning to the club from Melbourne and Salford respectively.

Two very different clubs have a chance to get back on track in the Arriva Trains Cup tomorrow after being knocked out of the Challenge Cup last week by amateur sides.

Workington Town were beaten by the Wath Brow Hornets and need to win back their pride when they meet Barrow, while the game's newest professional club, the London Skolars, who lost to the Widnes amateurs, Halton Simms Cross, have a chance to chalk up their first win when they go to Hunslet, who finished next to bottom in the Northern Ford Premiership last season.

Oldham face professional opposition at Boundary Park for the first time since their return to their home town and are hoping for a big crowd to welcome them when they play Rochdale Hornets.

England have begun their campaign in the World Sevens in Sydney. They should come through their group, against Tonga and the Australian Aboriginals, but it will get much more difficult after that.