Rugby Union

Mark Ireland, the Nottingham hooker, is due to appear at Stafford Crown Court on Monday accused of causing actual bodily harm to Jon Taylor, the Stourbridge lock, by breaking his jaw in a club match in February. Taylor, a probationary West Midlands police officer, had to have his jaw wired after it was broken in two places.

Leicester Tigers will continue to wear letters on their shirts after a change of heart by the Welford Road club's committee. They had voted to end 70 years of tradition last year by deciding to introduce numbers on the shirts. But at last night's annual meeting, Peter Wheeler, the Chief Executive, announced there had been a change of heart and that the side would continue to play in letters.

English and Welsh Second Division clubs have agreed to set up their own Anglo-Welsh competition next season. The competition, which will run alongside the tournament for First Division clubs, will involve 24 clubs. So far only Newcastle have decided not to enter because of travel problems but their place is likely to be taken by a Third Division side. It will be played in four groups of six with the top two clubs from each group qualifying for the quarter-finals. Competition organisers hope that the Rugby Football Union and Welsh Rugby Union will give their approval.