Rugby Union

Although Llanelli's Stradey Park pitch has been pronounced fit for tonight's match against Italy the club will inspect the pitch again at 11.0 this morning, with the game due to kick-off at 2.30. Frano Botica, of New Zealand, was pleased with the pitch condition after practising his goal-kicking and will be one of the six internationals in the home line-up.

The New Year's Day game between Emerging Wales and the US Eagles has been switched from Rodney Parade, Newport, to the National Ground, Cardiff Arms Park because of adverse weather conditions. The Bath forward Dan Lyle will lead the Eagles, a side which features six players currently with British clubs including the Reading pair Mark Scharrenberg and Andre Bachelet, Blackheath hooker Tom Billups and Pontypridd back row Rob Lumkong.

Moseley have signed the 28-year-old hooker Damien Gerraghty, from the New Zealand provincial side Wellington. He could make his debut in Saturday's league match against Waterloo at The Reddings.

Simon Beetham, the 24-year-old centre from Leicester Tigers, yesterday joined the Courage League Two club Nottingham.