Rugby Union: Morris returns with three-year Sale deal

Sale have signed Dewi Morris, the former Orrell, England and Lions scrum- half. Morris has not played competitive rugby since announcing his retirement after last year's World Cup in South Africa.

Morris has agreed a three-year deal to become the English First Division club's latest big-name capture. Brian Wilkinson, Sale's chief executive, said: "We have great plans and an exciting vision of where we wish to be in five years' time. Dewi intends to play a big part in that development."

Sale have already snapped up Adrian Hadley, the former Welsh rugby league and union international, in a permanent deal. The club have also agreed a short-term winter deal with John Devereux, the Widnes and Wales rugby league centre.

Neath have appointed the Wales international prop John Davies as club captain. He succeeds Gareth Llewellyn, who has joined Harlequins.

The world champions, South Africa, have delayed naming their side for Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against Australia in Sydney because of an injury to their full-back Andre Joubert.

The South African tour management will today check on the fitness of Joubert, who was hurt in last week's Test against Fiji. The South African coach, Andre Markgraaff, has given Joubert, who has an upper body injury, a "better than 50 per cent" chance of playing.

With no other specialist full-back, South Africa would almost certainly switch either James Small or his fellow wing Justin Swart to fill the gap and bring in the speedster Pieter Hendriks, who is recovering from a bout of gastroenteritis.

The Australians have reacted to last Saturday's 43-6 hiding from New Zealand by making four changes to the team to meet South Africa. Stand- off Pat Howard, scrum-half George Gregan, flanker Daniel Manu and prop Andrew Heath have all been recalled.