Sullivan free to make debut for Warrington

Michael Sullivan is free to make his Warrington debut in the Boxing Day friendly at Widnes after being given a clearance by his Australian club.

Cronulla had been delaying the transfer of Sullivan's registration because of debts he has admitted to running up through his gambling. He has now taken steps to pay off the debts and has been named at scrum-half for the Wolves.

Warrington also give debuts to two new British signings - Stuart Reardon from Bradford and Richie Barnett from Hull - while Sullivan's former Cronulla team-mate David Peachey will be in the Widnes side for the first time.

There will be numerous debutants earlier in the day at Leeds, where the former Manly wing Scott Donald plays for the Rhinos against Wakefield. The ex-Widnes hooker Shane Millard and the former Salford back Nathan McAvoy also start.

Mark O'Neill, signed from Wests-Tigers, will be on the bench and Danny McGuire will make his comeback after the groin operation that kept him out of the Tri-Nations this autumn. Wakefield give debuts to the ex-Widnes centre Jon Whittle and the former Huddersfield utility man Paul White.

Terry Matterson takes charge of Castleford for the first time against Featherstone Rovers. Dewsbury face Batley.

The Australian club Penrith have postponed their investigation into the behaviour of their scrum-half, Craig Gower, at a charity event, until after Christmas.