Rugby Union: Wasps strengthen second row with Weedon

Wasps have signed the New Zealander Mark Weedon, a 6ft 5in, 17st lock forward who was an all-Black trialist in 1995 and 1996 and has also played Super 12 for Canterbury and North Harbour.

"We now have real strength in what has traditionally been one of our weaker areas," Nigel Melville, the champions' director of rugby, said.

Gregory Kacala yesterday completed his move to Cardiff on a three-year contract with the Welsh Cup holders promising they are still in the market for new talent. Kacala, a 31-year-old Polish international back-row forward, helped Brive win last season's Heineken Cup.

Ambitious Third Division newcomers Worcester havedropped their interest in Bath's unsettled England full-back Jon Callard. Worcester had offered Callard a job as player-coach but Bath were reluctant to release him from his contract.

Cliff Brittle was accused last night of employing bullying tactics in his bid to become the Rugby Football Union's new management board chairman. Brittle, the executive committee head, had promised "swift personnel changes" if he is elected at next month's annual general meeting, and the RFU president, John Richardson, responded yesterday by saying: "The threats issued by Brittle are obviously designed to bully people into supporting him, but it will not and should not work."