Kangaroos tour could rise from the ashes

Hopes were rising last night that rugby league's Ashes series scheduled for next month could be back on, following 24 hours of feverish activity on both sides of the world.

The world champions cried off on Wednesday because of fears over security, but the Australian Rugby League is considering a desperate plea from the Rugby Football League to salvage the series by sending a squad to England to play a three-Test, two-week tour.

The RFL is prepared to scrap the scheduled club games against St Helens, Leeds, Bradford and reduce the tour from seven weeks.

Colin Love, the ARL chairman, said last night: 'There is a major issue that the players have about making the trip to England but they might be more comfortable going for two weeks instead of seven.' Talks went on all day yesterday and also produced an offer to New Zealand to take the place of the Kangaroos, and a counter proposal for an 'Anzac squad' comprising 12 Australians and 12 New Zealanders in a Barbarians-style party.

The main focus, however, was on trying to persuade the Australians to reconsider their decision not to travel.

With only three matches, the Kangaroos would not need as many players, so only a few would need to be added to the 12 who are still keen to come, although it has been suggested that they are reluctant to tour without their most influential players at a time when the Great Britain side is showing signs of an improvement in form.