RUGBY SHORTS

DAN LEAVY has travelled to South Africa for Leinster’s Pro14 clash with Southern Kings on Sunday seeking more game time ahead of Ireland’s November Tests. The flanker was named in Ireland’s 42-man squad but did not travel to Chicago for Saturday’s meeting with Italy and is now expected to feature in Leo Cullen’s match squad for Port Elizabeth. The 10-times capped backrow had a delayed start to the season due to a shoulder injury. ÷WALES stalwart Gethin Jenkins has revealed he will call time on his rugby career after one last appearance for Cardiff against Zebre on Sunday. The most-capped Welshman in history will bring the curtain down on a career that saw the 37year-old prop win 129 Wales caps and tour three times with the British and Irish Lions, playing in five Tests. Jenkins, who made his Wales debut in 2002, has been battling to overcome a chronic knee injury. ‘I have been working hard rehabbing over the last three months and I was confident I was going to be back playing, so it’s disappointing to be retiring after Sunday’s game. ‘It’s obviously a big decision, but I’ve had a good innings, it’s time to finish and I am looking forward to one more run-out on the weekend and hopefully finishing on a high.’ ÷EDINBURGH hooker Stuart McInally has been named captain for Saturday’s international against Wales in Cardiff. With Clermont’s Greig Laidlaw unavailable as this weekend’s showdown is being played outside the official international window and club-mate John Barclay still injured, McInally (below) has again been given the honour by Gregor Townsend after captaining the Scots against Argentina last summer. With both sides unable to call-up players based outside their domestic club scene, the Scotland XV is effectively a Glasgow-Edinburgh select side. Just four players who featured in June’s 44-15 triumph over the Pumas feature this time, with McInally joined by fellow Edinburgh front-row Allan Dell, while Glasgow’s Adam Hastings and fullback Blair Kinghorn also keep their places. ÷SARA COX will make English rugby union history on Sunday when she becomes the first female official to referee a Premiership Rugby Cup game. The Exeter-based official will take charge of Wasps’ clash against Northampton in Coventry.