There is a definite split between the tabloids and the broadsheets in Friday's papers, with football for once facing a challenge from rugby union. With no new scandals for at least 24 hours, it is still Rio Ferdinand who shoulders the burden where football is concerned.
Meanwhile, the arguments surrounding England's rugby team remain firmly on the field - specifically the finer points of forward play.
 | BACK PAGE HEADLINES The Times: Jones leads world in union against Woodward's troops The Guardian: England tactics stand accused The Daily Telegraph: England are given a mauling The Independent: Springboks risk race row on eve of game The Sun: Rio's for the high jump The Daily Express: Under siege.. but Edu vows to make Chelsea pay The Daily Mail: Ban Rio and we will sue The Daily Star: Roo got to be joking The Daily Mirror: Rio: We will sue |
Yes, compared to the apparent misdeeds of the nation's footballers in recent weeks, the fact that the England forwards might be shielding Neil Back when embarking on a rolling maul could seem a trifle dull. However, something about Clive Woodward's team has ruffled feathers as their major rivals get stuck in ahead of England's clash with South Africa on Saturday.
"England are given a mauling," is how the Daily Telegraph describes the row.
And The Guardian reports that Australia, South Africa and France have all agreed that England's "truck and trailer" approach is just not on.
Presumably the New Zealanders were having a nap while all this was going on.
But while the broadsheets report on the attacks raining down on England, The Sun stands up for our boys by quoting Back as saying, "We've got 'em scared."
Unlike Back, Ferdinand does not have seven big, ugly brutes to hide behind, but probably just as terrifying is the Manchester United legal department.
And according to the national press, the Premiership champions are ready to take on the Football Association if Ferdinand is banned for missing a drugs test.
"To lose him for any length of time would be unacceptable," an unnamed source tells the Daily Mirror.
And the Daily Mail gets a supportive view from Ferdinand's sponsors, Nike: "Rio feels he made an honest mistake. That's enough for us."
The same newspaper looks ahead to another potential off-field story by claiming Portugal is ready to "welcome the hooligans" with a "softly, softly" approach to policing Euro 2004.
A spokesman from the National Criminal Intelligence Service hits on an age-old problem.
"There is nothing we can do to legislate for men who have 10 pints and get a bit funny."
MMIX
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