News: Wales captain Stephen Jones was yesterday rated as "touch and go" to face the All Blacks on November 25th.

The outhalf limped off in the 25th minute of the 29-29 draw against Australia on Saturday with a knee injury and is expected to be out for between two and three weeks.

It means he will miss Saturday's clash against the Pacific Islands and the match against Canada on Friday week.

It leaves Wales looking for a stand-in captain over the next fortnight at least.

Favourite for that role would be Gareth Thomas, who led the side after Jones went off on Saturday.

"Stephen has suffered a slight strain to the medial ligament in his knee and it's touch and go for New Zealand," revealed Wales attack coach Nigel Davies.

"As much as James Hook had a great game when he replaced Stephen, you have to balance that out that Stephen is our captain, he is our number one outsidehalf and he is a great player.

"We have to all keep our fingers crossed that he will be ready for the All Blacks game."

Although Wales say they have enough cover in the squad for Jones they have drafted in Sonny Parker, who has come out of international retirement to replace the injured Hal Luscombe.

Parker, who won the last of his 18 caps in last season's 24-22 win over Australia, quit Wales ahead of the 2006 Six Nations.

Former French rugby captain Marc Cecillon went on trial yesterday charged with murdering his wife in a drunken rage at a party two years ago.

Cecillon (47), a loose forward who won 46 caps for France, has admitted shooting his wife Chantal with a Magnum revolver in August 2004 before some 60 party guests. But he has said he only wanted to intimidate her, not kill her.

Investigators said Cecillon, who captained France five times, had fallen into alcoholism after his retirement from rugby in 2003. Psychologists said he had a fragile personality and was prone to "raving, passionate jealousy".

Cecillon could face a life sentence if found guilty when the verdict is announced on Friday.