training for the new rugby league summer season began at Lancaster City's Giant Axe ground last night (Wednesday).

Head coach Kevin McGuffog began running the rule over his squad which will kicks off against local rivals Blackpool over the May Day bank holiday weekend.

Training sessions will take place each Wednesday evening at Giant Axe at 7pm - and new faces are always welcome, he says.

Further information about training and playing for Lancaster is from Richard de la Riviere on 0795-653-8567.

o Seven new teams will take part in the 2004 York International Nines this summer after the organisers announced a changed line up to the tourn-ament in which Lancaster will compete.

A total of 24 teams will take part in the European Rugby League Federation backed tournament two-day event, now in its third year.

Russian elite club Strela Kazan will make their annual trip to the UK, where they will be joined by The West Indies, the South Asia Bulls and four club sides from France.