Two out of three for Woodward

Clive Woodward

There is good news and bad news on the Lions front for Sir Clive Woodward.

On the upside, Leicester say their loosehead prop Graham Rowntree should be fully fit within two to three weeks.

The Tigers head coach, John Wells, even struck a note of optimism over flanker Lewis Moody, who suffered medial ligament damage, saying he might also be out for only two to three weeks.

The bad news is that Matt Stevens, Bath's tighthead prop, has, ominously, had his appointment with an orthopaedic specialist put back to today to allow his injury to settle down still further.

Stevens suffered damage to the posterior cruciate ligament of his right knee against London Irish at the weekend and the prognosis is gloomy, with experts acknowledging that conservative treatment - rest and rehabilitation - is the best route, with surgery being a last resort.

Sale yesterday signed the Wales and former Lion centre Mark Taylor on a three-year contract.

The 32-year-old Taylor, who won his 49th cap in the Grand Slam clincher against Ireland, was also a target of Bristol and London Irish.

Sale's director of rugby, Philippe Saint-Andre, said: "The signing of Mark Taylor underlines our ambition to become one of the top clubs in Europe."

Taylor said he hoped to become a key part of a side "who have the potential to challenge for the top honours".

Gregor Townsend, 32, the former Scotland first five-eighths and centre, has said he is ready to return to the international fold if required by the new head coach.

- INDEPENDENT