De Beer faces injury lay-off

Saracens fly half Jannie de Beer will miss the first three games of the season after suffering ligament damage during a training match in Edinburgh. The South African may be out for six weeks.

Chief executive Francois Pienaar is looking for a replacement. 'There is now a real concern over the No.10 slot,' said Pienaar. 'We are in contact with various agents and hope to sign a fly half.

'Jannie is very frustrated at getting injured at such a critical time. He has been working very hard in pre-season training and his form has been excellent.'

Wallabies winger Andrew Walker was yesterday dropped from the squad to face South Africa in the Tri-Nations series in Perth on Saturday for a breach of discipline.

Walker took unauthorised leave from the Australian party to see his family on Sunday and missed the flight from Sydney to Perth.

He said last night: 'I just had to see my family straight away and that's why I missed the flight.

'I should have told team management that I wasn't coming so I can understand why they stood me down for this match.

'Hopefully I'll play club rugby this weekend to show how badly I want to be back in the Wallaby squad.'