UR TV CAST

Rumours that Benetton wish to release the 21-year-old Englishman persist, despite repeated public denials.One young driver expected to move is Minardi’s Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard, another from Briatore’s stable is wanted by Arrows, who recently signed an engine deal with Cosworth.. Bradford’s Leon Pryce has been cleared of throwing the ball at a touch-judge during Friday’s Super League game against St Helens – a charge that could have brought the international winger a long ban. Bradford’s Leon Pryce has been cleared of throwing the ball at a touch-judge during Friday’s Super League game against St Helens – a charge that could have brought the international winger a long ban.
The Rugby League has decided that Pryce did not intend to hit the official when he threw the ball away after the referee, Robert Connolly, had awarded a knock-on, but the Bulls’ captain, Robbie Paul, has been warned about his protestations to Connolly over the incident.Paul has been reminded of his responsibilities as captain and warned that “continuous verbal abuse” will not be tolerated. There is to be no action against Saints’ coach, Ian Millward, over remarks after the match which appeared to suggest that Connolly had shown bias.Harvey Howard, the Wigan forward who was the subject of criticism from Millward earlier this season, has been warned about leading with his left forearm while in possession of the ball. Howard was placed on report during the victory over Warrington on Friday.Paul Rowley, the Huddersfield hooker, has been ordered to appear in front of the disciplinary committee today over the alleged use of his knees in a tackle against Halifax on Sunday.Warrington are being linked in Australia with Jeremy Schloss, a scrum-half who made three appearances as a substitute for Queensland in 1997 and who also played for the club’s new coach, Steve Anderson, at Gold Coast.The former Hull and Bradford coach, Brian Smith, now in charge of the table-topping Parramatta side in Australia, has denied that he is being lined up as the new chief executive for the Rugby League in this country.Smith has long-term ambitions in administration, but said: “I’m enjoying coaching too much.” The League hopes to tie up a deal this week that will keep Kris Radlinski in the game.

The Wigan and Great Britain full-back is the prime remaining target for rugby union, but it is hoped that an element of central funding will keep him in league – as it did Keiron Cunningham.The RFL’s director of rugby, Greg McCallum, is expected to broker the deal now that he is back from Australia, but there are unlikely to be many more players offered similar sweeteners. The criteria are that only players deemed “irreplaceable” in the national side will be treated in this way, and then only one per club.Keighley hope to find a backer to keep the club going before it is formally wound up this Friday. Failing that, a new company could be set up to run a reconstituted club.The Barla Young Lions – the best of up-and-coming young amateur players in the country – have lost 28-12 to Australia’s Emerging States in Melbourne.. Fan favourite Anna Kournikova and 2000 French Open champ Mary Pierce have withdrawn from the US Open with injuries, organizers said on Monday. Fan favourite Anna Kournikova and 2000 French Open champ Mary Pierce have withdrawn from the US Open with injuries, organizers said on Monday.
The 20–year–old Russian, seeded 19th, pulled out because of a foot injury that has sidelined her most of the year. Kournikova, who made it to the quarters of the Australian Open this year, had her best result at Flushing Meadows in 1998 when she reached the fourth round.Unseeded Pierce, 26, who is a two–time quarterfinalist at the US Open, pulled out facing continued problems with her lower back.Another player to withdraw was unseeded Tathiana Garbin of Italy, 24, who suffered a herniated disc at the estyle Classic in Manhattan Beach, California.On Friday, two stars withdrew from the men’s competition: big–serving Dutchman Richard Krajicek and Swede Magnus Norman.The US Open starts on Monday 27th August..

Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil was top seeded among the men and Martina Hingis of Switzerland was No 1 among the women for the US Open, which begins next week at the National Tennis Center. Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil was top seeded among the men and Martina Hingis of Switzerland was No 1 among the women for the US Open, which begins next week at the National Tennis Center.
US Open seedings released Monday include 32 men and 32 women, double last year’s total. As in the past, seedings were based on tour rankings for the year’s final Grand Slam event, which begins next Monday.Wimbledon and the French Open decided in June to adopt a seeding formula favoring players who are better on their event’s playing surface. But the US Tennis Association will hold off on such a change for the US Open until at least next year, spokesman Joe Favorito said.”At this time there’s no definitive system that makes sense for all four Grand Slams,” Favorito said.Also Monday, Anna Kournikova, seeded 19th, withdrew Monday because of a foot injury that has sidelined her most of the year. Unseeded Mary Pierce, a two–time quarterfinalist, pulled out because of a lower back injury.The expansion to 32 seeded players in each draw for all major events was announced in June. It makes early–round upsets less likely and gives top players a better chance to advance, which pleases sponsors and TV networks.Kuerten is seeded No 1 at the U.S Open for the first time. The Brazilian, bothered by soreness in his right side, quit seven games into Sunday’s final against Patrick Rafter at a tournament in Indianapolis but said he expects to ready for the Open.Two–time champion Andre Agassi is seeded second, followed by 2000 champion Marat Safin.