Rugby League: Wigan madden rulers of World

WIGAN have infuriated the organisers of the World Sevens by naming a squad of reserves to defend their title in Sydney next month. The 10 players who will go to Australia have all played first- team rugby for Wigan, but none of the internationals who won the tournament last February will make the trip, writes Dave Hadfield.

They will stay at home for the important First Division match against Bradford on 7 February, which the club have decided must be the priority.

The spokesman for the Sevens, Geoff Prenter, left no doubts about his disappointment. 'Teams invited to the World Sevens who do not field their best side will not be invited back the following year,' he said. 'I would have thought that Wigan, being a proud club, would have sent their best line-up in the hope of defending their title.'

The Wigan chairman, Jack Robinson, predicted that the young side the club will field could surprise its critics. 'There is a lot of pace, enthusiasm and ability in this team,' he said. 'We believe it will do better than a mixture of experienced and younger players, which is what we could have chosen to send.'

Martin Offiah, the top performer at the tournament last year, would not have gone in any event, he said, because he is still feeling the effects of a hamstring injury. The Wigan coach, John Monie, will stay in England, with the reserve-team coach, Graeme West, taking the squad to Sydney.

Warrington have been told that they can appeal against Kevin Ellis's selection for the Welsh side so that he can compete in the Sevens.

WIGAN SQUAD (for World Sevens): P Atcheson, A Stoop, S Naylor, J Robinson, M Crompton, I Gildart, B-J Mather, A Farrell, M Forshaw, M Cassidy.