The Scottish Rugby Union today accused the International Rugby Board of failing smaller nations after revising their rules over player release for Test matches.

Australia have put an International Rules debutant in goal for tomorrow's first Test against Sean Boylan's Ireland side in Perth.

Mike Blair was today confirmed as Scotland captain for next month’s autumn internationals.

Lab tests have confirmed an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu in Afghanistan, the United Nations and the government said in a joint statement today.

Barry Coughlan

Thirty-six Chinese volunteers participating in the world’s first SARS human vaccine tests are “in good condition”, the official Xinhua News Agency said today.

Reuben Thorne will lead New Zealand in their June Tests against England, Wales and France, it was announced today.