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England Looking For Revenge In Sydney

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RUGBY UNION

A year on from the disastrous 76-0 thrashing at the hands of the Wallabies, England face Australia again in much better heart. 110,000 spectators will be packed into the new Olympic facility in Sydney to see whether Clive Woodward's side can go one better than Ireland, who were narrowly beaten last weekend.

England are led on Saturday by Martin Johnson, with the humiliated Lawrence Dallaglio's place taken by Martin Corry -- an outstanding performer in the warm-up game against Queensland. Leon Lloyd, scorer of two tries in the victory over the state side, also looks set to keep his place on the wing. Oz coach Rob McQueen is believed to have identified a weakness in the England midfield, but aside from rustiness, they must have a great chance to gain revenge for last year's Cook Cup mauling.

RUGBY LEAGUE

On Wednesday, the in-form Leeds Rhinos take on Castleford Tigers in the Super League. The buoyant Rhinos, after an easy victory over table-toppers Bradford Bulls at the weekend, will be hoping to climb the table but face their deadly local rivals Castleford Tigers. The two teams have already fought out a draw at Wheldon Road this season and a tight game is expected, despite the Tigers receiving a big start on the handicap. On the same night bottom side Hull Sharks welcome the Salford Reds in a game that could go either way.

CRICKET

After the drama of the World Cup comes a more sedate form of cricket for English fans in the form of county action. This week sees the premier cup tournament in this country -- the Natwest Trophy -- reach the third round stage.

Most top county sides are pitted against part-time minor counties, but there are still one or two matches to savour. Scotland will be looking to improve on their moderate World Cup showing with a decent performance against Adam Hollioake's strong Surrey team. Only two full-time county sides meet at this stage.

Nottinghamshire and Middlesex are both struggling in the CGU National League and will have a point to prove, but the pick of the ties sees Essex travel to Wantage Road to take on Northamptonshire. Essex are currently struggling in Division One whereas Northants are vying for promotion in Division Two. It should be a close game but England's Nasser Hussain, who clocked up a fine century against Yorkshire on Saturday, could be the key for Essex. Last season's winners Lancashire have a seemingly safe passage to round four, with an easy clash against minnows Hertfordshire.

TENNIS

It's the highlight of the tennis year as Wimbledon begins this week with home fans hoping to witness the first British winner of the men's event for 63 years. Number six seed Tim Henman has been strongly-backed to better last year's semifinal appearance, and the bookies have installed him second favourite for the coveted championship. Adopted son Greg Rusedski will also be looking for a good run after last year's early exit. However, the two Brits find themselves in the toughest half of the draw along with World number one Pete Sampras gunning for his sixth Wimbledon title and 12th major of his career.

In the ladies competition, number one seed Martina Hingis will be hoping to bounce back from her French Open disappointing defeat at the hands of Germany's Steffi Graf. Natasha Zvereva could be worth an outside bet after her recent victory in Eastbourne against 1998 Wimbledon runner-up Nathalie Tauziat, although it is difficult to look further than Hingis. All eyes will be on golden-girl Anna Kournikova, although she faces a difficult task with Graf, Venus Williams and Amanda Coertzer all in the same quarter draw.

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