Rugby Union: Lomu doubtful for England

JONAH LOMU, the fearsome New Zealand wing, may not make the All Black squad to face England next month because of injury.

Lomu, who returned late last year from a lay-off caused by a severe kidney problem, has been left out by Auckland Blues for the Super 12 final against Canterbury Crusaders this week because he has a foot injury.

Although Lomu's injury is expected to clear up in time for the 8 June All Black trial, there have been warnings during the week that his career is again uncertain because of health worries.

On Monday, Grant Fox, the former All Black, said Lomu's health was less than 100 per cent and he was struggling. Fox said Lomu was still suffering because of his kidney ailment.

The much-maligned home countries' squads for tours to the southern hemisphere were again the subject of discussion yesterday.

Andrew Lewis, the Cardiff prop, has withdrawn from the Wales squad that leaves for the tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa next week. Lewis has been suffering from a long-term ankle injury and after taking medical advice has decided not to make the trip.

His place goes to the 36-year-old Pontypridd prop, Mike Griffiths, who won the last of his 34 caps during the 1995 World Cup.

Scotland's team manager, Arthur Hastie, yesterday answered criticism by the Australian Rugby Union chief executive, John O'Neill, of the Scots' touring squad.

O'Neill was reported in The Australian as suggesting that if Scotland and England continued to tour with understrength sides the ARU might looking elsewhere for visiting teams.

"It's not as if international rugby can't get on without the Home Unions,"O'Neill said.

Hastie said O'Neill and the ARU were aware that, for various reasons - nothing to do with pressure being exerted on the SRU by English clubs - a number of Scotland's leading players were unavailable.

"While Mr O'Neill's reported comments have undoubtedly been coloured by our poor performance against Fiji [a 51-26 defeat on Tuesday] it is regrettable that he should choose to re-open this issue after he had previously accepted the SRU's assurances that the touring party was the strongest available," Hastie said.