Wigan may miss out on Sevens

ST HELENS could beat Wigan to the distinction of becoming the first rugby league club to compete in the Middlesex Sevens, in May. The Rugby League has accepted an invitation from the organisers, but will not announce its representatives until tomorrow.

The League is privately irritated by Wigan's stress on the financial arrangements for the tournament. The club's board met this week without deciding whether they wished to take part and there is also the problem of a Super League match at Halifax on the same weekend as the Sevens.

St Helens, who won league's premier Sevens tournament at Wigan this summer, have been unequivocal in their desire to take part and could get the nod.

The League's chief executive, Maurice Lindsay, also believes that competition between the two codes should start and finish with the Sevens, at least for this season. He was unenthusiastic this week about the proposed "double- header" between Wigan and Bath.

"Both games have a demanding schedule ahead of them," he said. "We should concentrate on making a success of what we are committed to, rather than satisfying people's yearning for a battle between the codes."