Rugby: Leslie's injury woes continue

LONDON - The wretched season for Scotland rugby skipper John Leslie continues.

The centre is now in doubt for the final round of the Six Nations championship - the Calcutta Cup clash against England at Murrayfield this weekend.

The 29-year-old former Otago captain had a dream debut in the championship last year, but his stint with Scotland has stumbled since suffering an ankle injury against South Africa in the World Cup last October.

Leslie was pulled out of Newcastle's English club premiership clash with Saracens yesterday because of recurring problems with the same ankle.

He has completed just four matches since October and he has not been anywhere near the threat or had the impact of last year.

Former Scottish Grand Slam captain David Sole has said that Leslie should not be captain, largely because he is not Scots-born.

Leslie will link up with his international colleagues tomorrow, but if he is ruled out it will be a devastating blow to Scotland coach Ian McGeechan.

Scotland's plans for the game have already been disrupted by the "grannygate" scandal surrounding David Hilton, who discovered last week that his grandfather was born in Bristol and not Edinburgh.

The International Rugby Board is expected to make a statement relating to the eligibility issue in Dublin tomorrow. - NZPA