Sporting Digest: Rugby Union

RUGBY UNION

Bath's worst fears were confirmed last night when their former captain Andy Nicol was ruled out for the next six weeks while he recovers after damaging the medial ligaments to his left knee, an injury suffered in the weekend's Allied Dunbar Premiership defeat against Saracens.

The Irish Rugby Football Union has confirmed it will not be involved in the British and Irish League proposed for next season.