Other sports stories in brief
Tait out for five games
RUGBY: England World Cup prospect Mathew Tait could be sidelined for six weeks after suffering a knee injury during kicking practice. The 20-year-old, who toured Australia with England earlier this summer, will undergo surgery today to repair a slight cartilage tear.
He might miss Newcastle's opening five Premiership games as a result, although the Falcons are confident of him making a full and quick recovery.
Meanwhile, Jonny Wilkinson, will start the season on schedule. Wilkinson will be partnered at half-back by Hall Charlton against the Saints, and his head-to-head with Northampton outhalf Carlos Spencer promises to provide a fascinating opening weekend highlight.
Laytown in doubt
RACING: Following an inspection at Laytown yesterday, the course was found to be unraceable due to the lack of a suitable sand bank.
Consequently the course will be inspected again at 3pm on Sunday to determine prospects for the Tuesday's fixture.
Mick Kinane has been handed the plum ride on Jeremy Noseda's Araafa in Sunday's Prix du Moulin at Longchamp. Alan Munro has partnered the three-year-old on each of his four outings this season but as he is currently sidelined, connections have turned to Kinane, who finished sixth aboard the colt in a Group Three event last season.
The dual Group One winner will be out to restore his reputation after finishing outside the frame in the Sussex Stakes.
Jockey fails breath test
RACING: Fran Ferris was stood down from riding at Salisbury yesterday after he failed a breathalyser test at the course.
His only mount of the day was due to be on Inka Dancer in the opening Sydenhams Handicap but he was replaced by Ted Durcan.
Horseracing Regulatory Authority spokesman Owen Byrne said: "He's failed a breath test - two of them - which meant he was stood down from riding for the day. Then he opted to take a urine sample.
"When you fail, the disciplinary action that follows depends on the level of alcohol you've got in you. If it's a certain level it goes to a caution but if it's above a certain level you can be suspended."
Dublin call on Jacob
ROWING: Seán Jacob, who finished 13th in the men's single scull at the World Championships in Eton, will represent Dublin at the Sculling Challenge on the Liffey tomorrow evening, writes Liam Gorman. The challenge features representatives of the men's and women's ladders in Cork and Dublin and the Belfast Sculling League, and this year's event will run from the Toll Bridge at Ringsend to the Custom House.
The men's race (6.45) features Jacob, Martin Campbell (Belfast) and Noel Monahan (Cork). Monahan recently represented Ireland in the World Flatwater Canoeing Championships. The women's race (6.30) features Siobhan Jacob (Dublin), Orlagh Duddy (Belfast) and Caroline Murray (Cork).
