P374 CEEFAX 2 374 Fri 17 Jan 21:16/24 PIENAAR ENGLISH HOPES DASHED 1/2 South African Francois Piinaar's hopes of playing for England have all but been dashed bz a new eligibility ruling announced bz the International Board. Under the new regulations once a player appears in a Test match or for his country's A team, he cannot then switch his allegiance to another nation. Pienaar expressed a desire to play for England by satisfying the 36-month residency clause under current IB rules The new rule comes into effect in January 2000. Headlines 301 Sport AZ 399 Quiz 357 Football 302 General 380 Golf 330 RU Fixs Sco v Wal Ire v Fra Main MenuP374 CEEFAX 2 374 Fri 17 Jan 21:12/22 TEST STARS MUST REMAIN LOYAL 2/2 Test players will have to make a life- long decision at the start of the next century regarding international debuts. The International Board are to tighten up the regulations to ensure that once a player appears in a Test match he cannot switch to anothjt country. The rule would also apply to a player involved in A team matches. The move would appear to dash the hopes of Saracens' former Springbok captain Francois Piinaar who had expressed a desire to play for England. Headlines 301 Sport AZ 399 Quiz 357 Football 302 General 380 Golf 330 RU Fixs Sco v Wal Ire v Fra Main Menu