News

Wales suffer Byrne blow

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 15/10/2009
Rugby Union betting

Ospreys and Wales full-back Lee Byrne faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after it was confirmed that he suffered ligament damage in his right foot during Sunday's 32-32 Heineken Cup draw at Leicester Tigers.

Byrne limped out of the action with a recurrence of the injury which forced him out of the Lions tour in the summer. He will be in plaster for six weeks before beginning a period of rehabilitation.

The news means that Byrne will miss Wales' autumn internationals which start with a clash against New Zealand, who are the sportsbook favourites to win the next World Cup, on November 7.

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Meanwhile, Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam has failed to overturn his 12-week ban for kicking England captain Steve Borthwick in the head.

An appeal hearing initially agreed that the former France international's ban should be reduced to eight weeks but then ruled that a further six weeks should be added for Azam's previous disciplinary record.

However, that suspension was then cut to 12 weeks because of the player's guilty plea.

Munster prop John Hayes has had his six-week ban reduced by seven days following an appeal in Dublin.

The Ireland international was handed the suspension for stamping on Leinster prop Cian Healy in the recent Magners League match between the two teams.

Hayes will still miss Munster's Heineken Cup game against Treviso this weekend and two Magners League matches but will be available for all of Ireland's autumn internationals.

The ban was reduced by one week because of Hayes' previous disciplinary record.

In rugby league, Celtic Crusaders have named the former Great Britain boss Brian Noble as John Dixon's successor as coach at Rodney Parade.

Noble, who left Wigan earlier this month following the Warriors' 14-10 play-off defeat at St Helens, also enjoyed a successful five-year spell as the coach of Bradford Bulls.

Dixon parted company with the Crusaders at the end of the season, their first in Super League, when they finished a distant bottom after winning only three of their 27 matches.

Noble will be reunited in South Wales with his GB assistant Jon Sharp who will be first-team coach while current Wales coach Iestyn Harris has been named as his assistant.

In cricket, Australia batsman David Hussey has agreed to return to Nottinghamshire next season.

The 32-year-old spent four seasons at Trent Bridge from 2004 before starring for Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders in 2009.

Hussey did enjoy a short five-week stint at Trent Bridge midway through the summer as a replacement for Adam Voges but has now agreed to spend the whole of the 2010 campaign with Notts.

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