Painful period for Briers and Wellens

Warrington and St Helens were both relieved yesterday after receiving good news about key players in the run-up to the start of the Super League season.

The Warrington captain, Lee Briers, was carried off in agony during the friendly against Salford on Sunday and yesterday had a scan on his right shin which revealed no break. Briers faces a race to be fit in time for the Wolves' opening match at Wigan on 9 February.

The champions, St Helens, could be without their Great Britain full-back, Paul Wellens, for the start of their season, at Huddersfield this Sunday. Wellens was carried off during Sean Long's testimonial against Leigh on Saturday. He too had a scan on his lower leg yesterday. The scan again revealed no break. "But he is still in a lot of pain and on crutches," said his coach, Daniel Anderson.

A third Great Britain player, Leeds' Test captain Jamie Peacock, has been for a scan on a suspected eye socket fracture as pre-season friendlies continue to take their toll. Huddersfield's Keith Mason is to face a striking charge over that incident.

Saints could also be without their Kiwi Test centre, Willie Talau, who was sent off for striking Leigh's former St Helens winger Anthony Stewart. Talau will face a Rugby League disciplinary hearing today.

New Zealand have warned Great Britain against fielding a weakened side in this autumn's Centenary series. The Kiwis are to celebrate 100 years of touring by bringing a full-strength squad to Europe, but there have been hints that Britain could put a "development" team out against them, saving their top-line players for the World Cup next year.

"Our agreements require nations to field their strongest possible teams," said the NZRL's chairman, Andrew Chalmers.

Leeds and St Helens have come out against Wigan's proposal to reduce the Super League season to 22 games, condemning it as uneconomic.