Wallabies to play Test series with England

Australia will host England in Sydney next year in a re-match of the 2003 Rugby World Cup final. The game is part of a two-Test series where they will play England at Perth's Subiaco Oval on June 12, and a week later at the Olympic Stadium, the venue of that final. The Wallabies will also play Fiji in Canberra on June 5 and Ireland in Brisbane on June 26. The Tri Nations schedule will be released next month.

In France, Frederic Michalak saluted his rival Jonny Wilkinson's performance for Toulon after the fly-half scored all the points for his side in an 18-13 victory against Toulouse. Wilkinson, who was plagued by injuries since kicking the winning drop goal for England in that World Cup final, took his tally to 81 points in six matches this season. "Wilkinson is undoubtedly back to his best level," said Michalak after Sunday's victory.

"He scored every single time he came into our half of the pitch. I am disappointed I have lost this game but I am happy for him, for rugby and for the French league." Wilkinson landed three penalties and three drop goals as Toulon moved up to third in the Top 14 championship. In rugby league, Wigan will face Hull KR in the preliminary semi- finals of the Super League play-offs on Saturday after a 20-18 win over Castleford on Sunday. The Warriors led 18-0 at one stage before almost throwing the game away.

"I thought we defended really well, it was a couple of individual errors that let Castleford back in," said the Wigan coach Brian Noble. "Our issue is with the ball, we need to look after the ball a bit better but there were some really good efforts." [e-mail]