Sanderson out until February

Since England open their Six Nations campaign against Wales at Twickenham on 4 February, Sanderson, who has been out of action for the past three weeks, has little chance to regain match fitness in time. The Leicester flanker Lewis Moody's suspension ends at the start of that week so there is little time for him to get match fit, either.

Worcester have offered the Wales prop Chris Horsman an extension to his existing contract, which still has 18 months to run, in order to beat off offers from clubs including Llanelli, who are looking to replace John Davies.

The Worcester wing Aisea Havili has been charged with a dangerous tackle on Newcastle's Dave Walder on New Year's Day and will see a disciplinary committee in London next month. The Bristol No 8 Dan Ward-Smith faces a charge for a dangerous tackle on Northampton's Dan Browne. His hearing is a week later in Coventry. The recommended punishments for dangerous tackles range from two weeks to six months.

The South African Super 14 side the Stormers are reported to be interested in signing the Ulster and Ireland fly-half David Humphreys. The coach Kobus van der Merwe told a South African newspaper: "The talks are still alive. I think our chances of getting him are 50-50."

The Ulster chief executive Michael Reid, however, said yesterday: "David Humphreys will not be leaving. The Stormers have not been in touch officially or unofficially."