Rugby League: Lions off the plane

The British Amateur Rugby League Association has a major problem before their Test match on Saturday against South Africa in Johannesburg. They are struggling to get there. The Barla Lions were due to fly out tomorrow for a three-match trip but their plans have been thrown into chaos by the collapse of the South Africa-based Avia Airways.

Their search for alternative arrangements has even included the Royal Air Force. Maurice Oldroyd, the Barla chief executive, said: "Everybody has been very cooperative but it's not easy trying to find places for 28 people.

"At the moment we may have to fly via Abu Dhabi which would mean not arriving until 6.15pm on Friday, but we are still trying to get an earlier flight."

Gordon Robb, the tour manager added: "It's hardly the best preparation for a Test match but we don't want to abort the tour."