MOTOR RACING: Michael Schumacher believes the risks are worth taking to keep the Monaco Grand Prix in the world championship.

The German insisted ahead of this weekend's race on the streets of Monte Carlo that Formula One's jewel in the crown should remain on the calendar despite safety fears.

Grand prix cars have to virtually crawl around the tight and twisty streets of the Mediterranean principality, kissing the metal barriers along the way, but those guard-rails prove unforgiving of the slightest misjudgement.

''Every year, Formula One asks itself why it races in Monaco and every year it decides to return,'' said Schumacher. ''Yes, it can be a bit risky, but that is part of the attraction of the circuit."

RUGBY UNION: Danny Grewcock's England tour prospects were last night hanging in the balance after Bath decided not to appeal against his sending-off for punching Lawrence Dallaglio.

The Bath skipper will start a two-week ban next Sunday - 24 hours before England fly to New Zealand.

England boss Clive Woodward has selected Grewcock in his 37-man squad for Tests against New Zealand on June 14 and world champions Australia seven days later, plus a June 9 appointment with New Zealand Maori at New Plymouth.

But Grewcock is now only available for the Wallabies clash, which could result in Woodward reconsidering his plans, although there will be no announcement either way until today, at the earliest.

England squad: Backs: J Lewsey (Wasps), J Robinson (Sale Sharks), I Balshaw (Bath), B Cohen (Northampton), D Luger (Harlequins), J Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), W Greenwood (Harlequins), M Tindall (Bath), S Abbott (Wasps), B Johnston (Saracens), J Noon (Newcastle), J Wilkinson (Newcastle, vice-capt), P Grayson (Northampton), A King (Wasps), M Dawson (Northampton), K Bracken (Saracens), A Gomarsall (Gloucester). Forwards: J Leonard (Harlequins), M Worsley (London Irish), T Woodman (Gloucester), G Rowntree (Leicester), P Vickery (Gloucester), S Thompson (Northampton), M Regan (Leeds), D West (Leicester), M Johnson (Leicester, capt), B Kay (Leicester), D Grewcock (Bath), S Borthwick (Bath), S Shaw (Wasps), R Hill (Saracens), J Worsley (Wasps), N Back (Leicester), A Hazell (Gloucester), P Volley (Wasps), M Corry (Leicester), L Dallaglio (Wasps).

RUGBY UNION: Bath have confirmed the signing of Wasps scrum-half Martyn Wood. The 26-year-old joins props David Flatman and Duncan Bell as Bath's third new recruit as they target a much-improved Zurich Premiership campaign next season following their recent relegation battle.

Wood, who scored a try for Wasps against Bath in last Sunday's Parker Pen Challenge Cup final and won two England caps in North America two years ago, has understudied Wales and Lions star Rob Howley this term.

SPEEDWAY: Wolverhampton's David Howe has been handed one of the wildcard entries into the British Grand Prix next month.

Howe will take his place alongside British Under-21 champion Simon Stead at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, June 14.

Howe, who joined the Monmore club on a full transfer from Peterborough during the winter, was approved when the sport's world governing body the FIM agreed the choice of the British Speedway Promoters' Association.

ATHLETICS: Philips Idowu has pledged to dislodge Jonathan Edwards as Britain's top triple jumper when the pair meet in Gateshead in July.

Idowu became the first Briton to beat Edwards in five years when he won in Sheffield last year and another victory over the Olympic champion at the Norwich Union Super League event on July 13 would be a major boost ahead of this year's World Championships.

Idowu said: ''The aim is to become British number one early on in the season and then hold onto it and keep Jonathan under control."

ATHLETICS: Two Commonwealth champions will head Britain's team for the World University Games in South Korea. Rebecca Cooke (University of Glasgow) and James Gibson (Loughborough University) will lead a squad of ten students for the tournament in Daegu, which begins on August 21. Gibson said: ''I'm very much looking forward to it."

RUGBY UNION: Leeds last night pulled off a major transfer coup by signing Italian back-row star Aaron Persico.

The 25-year-old produced a series of outstanding displays during this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship, and is among European rugby's hottest properties.

SPORT ON TV: A selective guide to today's viewing -

FOOTBALL: Champions League final, Juventus v AC Milan - ITV1 1930.

TENNIS: French Open - British Eurosport 1000; 1630.

CRICKET: Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy, Somerset v Surrey - Sky Sports 1 1030.

RACING: From Newbury - Sky Sports 2 1830.

CYCLING: Giro d'Italia - British Eurosport 1430