Sporting Digest: Rugby Union

JOHN FOWLER has joined Courage Championship First Division club Sale from Newcastle Gosforth.

JAMES SMALL has been dropped by South Africa for Saturday's second Test against Argentinia and withdrawn from their forthcoming tour of Wales and Scotland. Small was allegedly involved in a fist fight after the first Test against Argentina in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

MASSIMO CUTTITTA becomes the third player to captain Italy in their last three games when he leads them against Wales in the World Cup qualifier at Cardiff Arms Park tomorrow.

ITALY v WALES WORLD CUP QUALIFIER (Cardiff Arms Park, 12 October): P Vaccari; I Francescato, S Bordon, M Bonomi, M Gerosa; D Dominguez, A Troncon; M Cuttitta (capt), C Orlandoi, G Grespan, R Favaro, D Scaglia, O Arancio, A Sgorlon, C Checchinato.