Back sets sights on European success

Neil Back, on the losing side for club and country just twice in 2001, is unequivocal about his ambition for 2002 – "To win every match I play," he said yesterday. But the England flanker lists retaining the Heineken Cup with Leicester as "beyond No 1" in his list of priorities for the new year.

"It has never been done before so that would make it very special," Back said. "It is the ultimate club competition, it was very difficult to win and it will be even harder to retain. Five years into professional rugby it is getting so much harder because there are so many good teams out there."

The bond between the Leicester players will drive him on in the bid for a repeat success. "When we won last year it was pretty emotional, it had been very mentally taxing and there were a few tears shed," he said. "It was very special for the Leicester boys who do not figure in the internationals, a big occasion for them, and it was important to be part of that."

Back, who is 33 in January, continues to be ambitious. "I will carry on until my desire and ability to walk diminish," he said. His plan is to continue at least until after the 2003 World Cup and he believes there is still a "massive" amount of improvement to come from the England team feted for the way they bounced back from defeat by Ireland to secure victories over the world champions Australia and South Africa.

"There is still a long way for this team to go. We haven't won in Australia yet," he pointed out.

Back and England winger Dan Luger came together at a sponsorship launch yesterday, but on Saturday they will be on opposing sides when Leicester visit Harlequins. Luger said: "It is important we get a couple of wins under our belt because we could get pulled into the relegation zone.

"We want to get in the top six and be in Europe next year but it is very tight at the moment with so many evenly-matched teams."

Henley Hawks, currently bottom of England's National League First Division, have signed the USA Eagles lock Philippe Farner and the Australian full-back Michael McNair.

Farner, 31,who has made 12 appearances for the United States and has one France 'A' cap, joins from Roma Olympic. He previously played in England for West Hartlepool. McNair, 22, joins from the Sydney Grade One club Gordon, where he has played at senior level for the last two seasons.