Sporting Digest: Rugby Union

Bedford yesterday received a two-point deduction for fielding three overseas players against Fylde in January. The Allied Dunbar Premiership Two leaders thought that they had secured the title with their 17th successive League win against Wakefield 11 days ago. However, one point from five remaining fixtures will now be required.

Anthony Clement, the former Wales international full-back, has been granted a benefit match by Swansea on 29 April.

The French rugby union has decided to give itself another two years to adopt a trimmed-down, fully professional league. The leading clubs met in Paris yesterday and agreed to a French championship of 24 clubs split into two pools of 12. This could be whittled down to a First Division of 12 clubs in two years.