Sale turn to Hercus to fill creative gap left by Hodgson's injury

Sale may pay dearly for their occasional defensive frailties - witness last weekend's wickedly expensive Heineken Cup defeat by Leinster at Edgeley Park - but as they are always more motivated by what happens at the other end of the field, their commitment to adventurous rugby remains complete. Hit hard by the latest injury to Charlie Hodgson, their international outside-half, they have reacted by chasing an equally imaginative footballer in the star-spangled shape of Mike Hercus, who impressed everyone who clapped eyes on him during the World Cup in Australia.

The 24-year-old American inspired the United States to within a missed conversion of beating Fiji in Brisbane - Hercus knows precisely how close it was, because he was the one who fluffed the all-important kick - and guided them to a decisive victory in their personal "final" against Japan. Now, he is close to agreeing a short-term contract with the Premiership club, who will remain in contention for a Heineken quarter-final place if they beat Biarritz in Stockport on Sunday.

Born in Virginia, Hercus was raised in Sydney and was sufficiently rated to win under-21 honours for New South Wales and a place in the Waratahs' Super 12 squad. He returned to the States to play for the Los Angeles-based Belmont Shore club - "a fantastic bunch of guys, who I'll miss if I go to England," he said yesterday - and was fast-tracked into the American Test side, for whom he has scored more than 200 points in 16 appearances. His hot form in the World Cup put a number of European sides on his tail and he was close to moving to Scotland to play for the Borders, who were keen to replace the South Africa-bound Gregor Townsend with a proven international performer. But Sale is now his most likely destination. A club spokesman said nothing had been finalised, but a favourable outcome is expected by the start of next week.

Northampton's chances of making the last eight of the Heineken Cup do not depend wholly on this evening's visit to the Perigord region of France, which is probably just as well, considering Agen's extraordinary record at Stade Armandie. Jean-Jacques Crenca's side have only lost one home match in the last 53, stretching back more than two years, and the manner of their victory over Llanelli last week suggests a savagely hard night at the coalface for the travelling forwards.

"We have targeted our defence as an area of strength, and at the moment, we have the best defensive record in the competition," said Wayne Smith, the Northampton coach, who has tinkered with his back division in the enforced absences of two England internationals, Matt Dawson and Nick Beal. "Even so, no one expects us to go to Agen and deal with their pack. People are saying we'll get munched. They have a formidable record at their stadium, and while it doesn't mean they cannot be beaten, we will have to be spot on physically and mentally to pull it off."

As Llanelli are likely to claim a third bonus point against the Borders at Stradey Park tonight, everything points to a mathematically complex three-way scrap at the top of Pool Four when the final round of matches takes place on Sunday week. The same may happen in Pool Six if the Celtic Warriors prevail over Perpignan in Bridgend this evening. More than 10,000 spectators are expected at the Brewery Field, where the home side's chances will be bolstered by the return of Robert Sidoli, their international lock.

The Neath-Swansea Ospreys have travelled to Scotland for their game against an in-form Edinburgh team without Scott Gibbs, who is rumoured to be preparing his retirement address. Gibbs, who won 53 caps for Wales and toured three times with the British Lions as well as earning a living as a rugby league professional, is scheduled to make an announcement at a Swansea hotel this morning.

A centre whose footballing class was almost as considerable as his physical presence, Gibbs has suffered a rough spell on the injury front in recent months. He retired from Test rugby a couple of years ago, after a public falling-out with the then national coach, Graham Henry.