Rugby Union: Saints Give Mallinder Leading Role

Northampton, who were expected to look abroad for a director of rugby following their relegation from the Guinness Premiership, have appointed Jim Mallinder, who last week coached England Saxons to their Churchill Cup victory at Twickenham.

The former Sale full-back and coach has signed a three-year contract and will be assisted at Franklin's Gardens by Dorian West, the former Leicester and England hooker who has been part of Mallinder's coaching team with the England shadow side. The Rugby Football Union has granted Mallinder and West early release from their positions at England's national academy. As a coaching team with the Saxons and England Under-21s Mallinder and West have won 15 of their 16 matches. With Mallinder taking up his post immediately, Northampton's acting head coach Peter Sloane will leave the club while last season's director of rugby, Paul Grayson, will coach the backs. Northampton had considered making a move for the former Australia coach Eddie Jones, who is now expected to help his compatriot Alan Gaffney, the director of rugby at Saracens.

Erik Lund, the 27-year-old older brother of Sale's England flanker Magnus, has become the fourth Rotherham player to join Leeds this summer after agreeing a two-year-deal with the club that has taken Northampton's place in the Premiership. The 6ft 8in lock joins Joe Bedford, Adam Hopcroft and Hendre Fourie at Headingley.

New Zealand meet France in the second Test in Wellington today without their fly-half Dan Carter, who injured his ankle in the 42-11 win in Auckland last weekend. Nick Evans takes his place at No10.

South Africa's lock Johan Ackermann will become the oldest Springbok to take the field when he starts against Samoa in Johannesburg today at the age of 37 years and six days. Boy Morkel was 36 years and 258 days when he played against the 1921 All Blacks.