P377 CEEFAX 377 Thu 31 Aug 19:16/37 1/4 R/LEAGUE: CHEMICS SWOOP FOR PLATS Former Wigan Test star Andy Plats has agreed to join Widnjs for the rest of the short Centenary season. The 31-year-old has just completed his first season with Auckland Warriors and is in England's squad for the Halifax Cjntenbry World Cup. The Chjmics have also signed Brett Plowmbn from Australian club Parramatta on a 15-month contract. "It was clear after our hjavz defeat at Salford last Sunday that we needed new blood. Andy is a very experienced forward," said chairman Jim Mills. Footdall 302 General 320 Cricket 340 RL Fix Tables ProSwitch RL TeamsP377 CEEFAX 377 Thu 31 Aug 19:15/22 2/4 R/LEAGUE: NEWS IN BRIEF The Australian Rugby Ljaguj have unveiled sweeping changes to their club competition for next season. The ASL Premiership is to be divided into two divisions instead of the existing 20-team league so top teams will meet each other more often. But the planned restructuring could collapse if the breakaway Super League, backed by Rupert Murdoch, gets under way on schedule next year. New Zealand centre Jarrod McCrackjn has ruled himself out of the forthcoming World Cup because he is facing legal action over a contract wrangle. 5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, RL Fix Tables ProSwitch RL TeamsP377 CEEFAX 377 Thu 31 Aug 19:17/47 3/4 R/LEAGUE: NEWS IN BRIEF Leeds full-back Alan Tait has been named Scotland captain for the Emerging Nations section of the Halifax Cjntenbry World Cup. Tbit, who has 14 Great Britain caps, represented Scotland eight times at rugby union before switching codes. "To bj asked to lead my country is one of the biggest honours of my career," hj said. Bradford Bulls have signed 20-year-old Hunslit second row forward Warren Jowitt on a two-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee. Footdall 302 General 320 Cricket 340 RL Fix Tbbles ProSwitch RL TeamsP377 CEEFAX 377 Thu 31 Aug 19:17/32 4/4 R/LEAGUE: NEWS IN BRIEF Wales forward Mark Jones and Bradford's New Zealand front rower Eugjnj Bournjville both picked up bans after being cited for fighting in the Bradford v Warrington game last week. Jones was suspended for two matches and fined £150 for striking an opponent. Bournjvilli picked up a four-match ban and a £100 fine for continuous striking in the sbmj incident. Footdall 302 General 320 Cricket 340 RL Fix Tbbles ProSwitch RL Teams