Rugby Union: French hooker suffers eye injury

JEAN-MICHEL GONZALES has withdrawn from the French squad for the opening Five Nations' Championship match against England on 15 January after an opponent's punch caused serious him eye injuries.

The Bayonne hooker was hit by Jean-Pierre Genet, of Racing Paris, in a league game on Sunday, fracturing the bone around his left eye and causing sight problems. He must rest for at least a month.

The former national captain, Jean-Pierre Rives, resigned yesterday from the French rugby federation's management committee. 'I'm getting out because things aren't going the way I expect,' said Rives, who has disagreements with the coach, Pierre Berbizier.

The England flanker Mike Teague, ignored by the South- West for the divisional championship, will play for Moseley in Saturday's club match at Bristol.

The former Lancashire Under- 21 winger, Spencer Bromley, makes his senior debut for the county in Saturday's match against Yorkshire in place of Phil Halsall.

Gareth Simmonds and Rob Yeman will join Derek Bevan on the Welsh international referees panel. They take over from Clive Norling and Les Peard.