Offiah ready for Bedford debut
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Your support makes all the difference.Martin Offiah will make his union debut for Bedford on Saturday - less than two weeks after specialists feared a toe injury could wreck his season.
The 29-year-old former Wigan winger has passed a full fitness test, and specialists are happy to let Offiah play in the Second Division home game against Rotherham, providing he wears some extra padding in his boot.
"It's still a bit sore but there has been no adverse reaction," Offiah said yesterday. "I've had my first full training session and I feel sharp and ready. The specialists told me I had aggravated the joints between my toes, but with padding lining my boot, I should be all right."
Offiah arrived at Bedford from London Broncos with the injury, which was feared to be similar to that which curtailed Gary Lineker's football career.
However, Offiah is now keen on bolstering Bedford's promotion hopes and his own chances of an England call-up. "Obviously you've got to have high targets and now that I am back I would like to impress the England selectors," he said.
Another player who has overcome injury and returns on Saturday is Michael Lynagh. The world record points-scorer, who was injured playing only his second match for Saracens, makes his comeback against Cambridge University. Mark Evans, his director of coaching, said: "We are delighted to welcome him back so that he can ease his way into the team before the important forthcoming League matches."
Jason Leonard has been tipped to win his 50th cap by captaining England against Italy at Twickenham next month. The vote of confidence comes from Leonard's England front-row predecessor, Gareth Chilcott, just days before Jack Rowell, the national coach, announces his new leader.
"After watching Leonard skipper Harlequins this season, I think he could pip favourite Lawrence Dallaglio for the job," Chilcott said.
"If you are trying to blend a young side together, then you need some experience. Leonard is a world-class player, and he's relishing his role at Harlequins. Captaining Quins must be a hard job because of all the class they've got, but he is proving to be an inspirational leader."
Leonard, still only 28, made his England debut against Argentina six years ago and has since played in two World Cup campaigns, and the 1993 British Lions tour of New Zealand.
Dallaglio, the Wasps flanker, remains favourite for the position vacated by Will Carling, who stepped down last season after captaining England a world record 59 times.
Rowell has said that he has already made up his mind, but he will not reveal the identity of the captain until English rugby's power struggle is resolved.
Negotiating teams from the Rugby Football Union and English Professional Rugby Union Clubs reconvened yesterday for secret talks, having spent last weekend trying to find a peace formula.
If a compromise is reached this week, then Rowell could announce his new captain before England's next scheduled squad training session at Bisham Abbey on Wednesday.
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