John Kear, the former Hull coach, was a favourite, but the club have interviewed at least one other candidate - not Ian Millward, according to their chief executive, Steve Ferres. The former St Helens and Wigan coach is at Leigh while waiting to become assistant coach at North Queensland Cowboys."We would be interested in Ian if he was available, but we don't think he is. Neil Kelly is another name that is floating around," Ferres said. "We have had no formal approach from him, but it is not a one-man race."Wakefield's two new loan signings, Maxime Gr?que and James Evans, are in their squad to face Bradford on Friday night.Paul Sculthorpe will miss St Helens' Challenge Cup semi-final against Hull KR on 29 July, but is expected to recover from his knee strain for the last five rounds of the Super League season.

"He has played at the highest level for over 10 years and has tremendous big match experience in Tests and Origin."Timmins, 29, has played nine times each for Australia and New South Wales and has the advantage of being able to play back row, stand-off or centre "I'm keen as mustard to be coming to the UK," he said. "It's something I've wanted to do for a while." Timmins follows the New Zealand forward Awen Guttenbeil, who has also agreed a two-year deal.Wakefield have delayed naming a successor to Tony Smith. Castleford have continued their celebration of likely Super League survival by signing the Australian international Shaun Timmins on a two-year deal. The promoted Tigers are now five points clear of relegation and are recruiting ambitiously. "To sign someone of Shaun's stature is a huge boost for us," said their coach, Terry Matterson. "This fantastic package gives you all-day access to the whole course," says the description by the vendor, who adds that the winning bidder will receive a tour of the BBC studio and commentary area and "the chance to meet the commentators and watch them in action". Photographs of the tickets - which look identical to BBC TV media passes - accompany the blurb..

With a veritable war of words already waged between the pair these past two days, Royal Liverpool has already enjoyed "The Jaw-ache at Hoylake" and, who knows, out on the course they may yet have "No Mercy on The Mersey". It certainly seemed like it after the world No 1 responded to Faldo's anger at the R&A's rather explosive draw with some bombshells of his very own.On Monday, Faldo had said "he could really do without" partnering Woods in the first two days after all the animosity that has built up following his criticism of the 10-times major winner live on American television last year, but at the same time maintaining - "I'm entitled to my opinion".. The BBC last night played down fears of a security lapse here after a pair of BBC tickets to the Open and a media car park pass - all donated by BBC Sport to a charity - found their way on to the auction website, eBay. The 43-year-old is Europe's best chance of ending the major drought that extends back seven years And he knows it.. Even Don King might now look upon the Royal and Ancient with the deepest admiration after Tiger Woods yesterday raised his showdown with Nick Faldo here tomorrow to a frenzy of hype rarely witnessed on the fairways. A rumour swept across The Wirral yesterday that Colin Montgomerie had been involved in a confrontation with a police officer. When asked about it, the burly Scot said: "Er no, not today, I don't think so But bear with me on that I'm working on it.

I'm sure there'll be some controversy." It was typical Monty, classic Monty; ever the joker in the run-up to a tournament, ever willing to dabble in self-deprecation, this time evoking images of the "collision" he had with a state trooper after last month's US Open But tomorrow the laughter will stop. After a first recce trip three weeks ago, plus four rounds here last week before most of the field had even landed in Liverpool, then two more days of surveillance, his preparations are done Almost. Today he will be seeking a hard, dry course elsewhere - to mimic conditions here - for a spot of R'&'R and a chance to hit a few balls in peace ahead of the one major in which he still craves a genuine title-contending performance In 13 Opens, he has had just two top-10 finishes.. Just when every other player is taking one last Open practice round on these links today, Phil Mickelson, aka Mr Meticulous, will be nowhere to be seen. But that alone - "Can't make the royal box, Ernie, maybe you and Liezl would like to take my place?" - indicates just how far this hugely likeable man from Swindon has come.. As it happens, Howell couldn't make it, so he passed on the invitation to Mr and Mrs Ernie Els.