Manchester in line to host first final of Tri-Nations

The city of Manchester Stadium, built for the Commonwealth Games and now home to Manchester City, could stage rugby league for the first time this autumn.

The 38,000-capacity ground is under consideration for the final of the first Tri-Nations tournament, involving Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, in November. "We have spoken to them, but there are issues to be resolved at all the grounds we are looking at for the Tri-Nations," the League's spokesman, John Huxley, said.

Hull's unlucky forward Richard Fletcher broke a leg in his comeback against Warrington on Sunday. He is expected to be out for at least four months. That follows a seven-month lay-off after knee surgery.

Others facing long absences after the weekend's games are the Castleford winger Waine Pryce, with a suspected hernia, and the Salford prop Andy Coley, who has damaged a joint.

The former Wakefield and Featherstone coach Andy Kelly will be unveiled today as the new coach of Dewsbury. They used to be coached by his brother, Neil, who has been assured that his job at Widnes is safe, despite their dismal start to the season.