high alert England are one of three nations who have been given greater security protection during the forthcoming World Cup. Though no specific threats have been made against any of the 20 competing countries, special precautions have been taken by tournament organisers to ensure the safety of England, hosts Australia and the United States in the light of on-going coalition action in Iraq. Today's security operation for the hosts' opening game represents the biggest Australia has witnessed since the Sydney Olympics three years ago. Five Black Hawk helicopters will be on standby along with 450 counter-terrorism specialists.
WING BOOST Gabriel Brezoianu, the Romanian winger, will play against Ireland at Gosford tomorrow after coming through a fitness test on his injured ankle. Brezoianu had been expected to miss the game after hurting himself during training on Thursday. However, Romania's top try scorer has been cleared to play, boosting the Eastern European's chances of giving Ireland a competitive game.
marsh worry The recalled French centre, Tony Marsh, admits playing in a new midfield combination with Yannick Jauzion will be a huge challenge against the ever-dangerous Fijians when the sides meet in their opening Pool B match on Sunday. Marsh, 31, has not played a Test for France since June 2002, having battled back first from testicular cancer and then a calf injury sustained during his rehabilitation. He has won his place ahead of Damien Traille to play against Fiji, and his partnership with Jauzion is very much a leap of faith for coach Bernard Laporte.
''We haven't played a game together and we also haven't had a lot of time training together because Yannick has had a thigh injury,'' said the New Zealand-born Marsh. ''We've only trained twice together, and it's going to be important that we talk a lot, especially on defence to co-ordinate and make sure we are doing the right thing. In attack, there are little things that, because we haven't played together, will come with time and practice. Sometimes, when I have to make a split-second call, the language barrier is a problem, but it's something you come to terms with. It was more of a problem when I first arrived and didn't speak any French, but it's not so bad now.''
l The Fijian second-row forward, Ifereimi Rawaqa, will make a dramatic return to Test rugby when he lines up against France, just a few weeks after being apparently ruled out of the tournament with a prolapsed disc. Rawaqa was named at lock, alongside Api Naevo, by coach Mac McCallion and will carry a huge weight of responsibility as he goes up against the French combination of Jerome Thion and 80-cap veteran Fabien Pelous.
townsville demo Aborigines will stage a demonstration outside the Dairy Farmers Stadium at Townsville on Sunday, venue for Scotland's game against Japan, to draw attention to what they say is unfair treatment of black people in Australia.
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