Thompson's Scotland hope ended by IRB

Paul Thompson's hopes of representing Scotland have been dashed after the International Rugby Board ruled that the Border prop is ineligible because he sat on the bench for a New Zealand A side three years ago.

Thompson was selected as a replacement against the Australian Barbarians in 1999, which was deemed at the time to be the next senior national representative team in Australia.

The former South Africa lock Mark Andrews is to join Newcastle. Andrews, 30, capped 77 times, announced his international retirement in October and will join up with his new Falcons team-mates in the middle of January. The Italian side Viadana have signed the experienced South African full-back Marius Goosen.

The Scottish Rugby Union Disciplinary panel has handed out severe suspensions to four players for separate head-butting offences. The Paisley prop Thomas Little was banned for 34 weeks following an incident against Bishopton on 2 November. The Carnoustie HSFP hooker Steven Esposito has earned himself a 30-week suspension. The Ross High full-back Paul Heron and the Whitecraigs lock Michael Wilson were both banned for 26 weeks each.