York City Knights have been dealt a major blow with the news in-form utility player Mark Stewart is to return down under - because he can't afford to stay in England.

The 23-year-old Australian, who has scored five tries in his last five games, is having to return to Cronulla for financial reasons as a letting agreement on his flat back home has fallen through.

Knights coach Richard Agar explained: "He's been working 60-hour weeks while his girlfriend has got three jobs so that they can afford the rent on his flat in Australia as well as his home over here.

"It's all cutting into his savings and he can't keep affording to pay for two places."

Stewart is set to leave England next month once his letting agreement in York comes to an end.

Agar added: "He came to England on a working holiday but this is all defeating the object of why he came over in the first place. At the moment he's working every hour God sends just to pay the rent.

"I can fully understand his reasons and he is gutted about it. We're pretty gutted for him and he will be a big loss but he did not feel he had any alternative."

Stewart has played at centre, winger and loose-forward for the Knights, scoring seven tries in 13 games in all since joining towards the end of last season, but his last game is now likely to be the LHF Healthplan National League Two clash against Gateshead Thunder on Sunday, kick off 3pm.

Agar added: "He does not want to go but it's basically costing him too much money to stay."

The Knights have already lost packmen Richie Hayes and Danny Seal to enforced retirements this season, while of the squad that started the campaign, centre Damien Reid has also gone to Barrow Raiders and winger Chris Smith has been hit with on-going knee trouble.

"It's another blow for us," said Agar.

Knights' squadman Carl Hughes was a substitute as the BARLA Great Britain Lions enjoyed one of their best-ever victories when beating the full France team 23-16 in rugby league's Victory Cup in Moscow.

A crowd of 3,000 saw the game, which was broadcast on Russian television.

Hughes was also a substitute when the amateur Lions beat New Zealand Defence Force 26-12 in their first group game, with the results putting coach Mick Turner's men into the final against Russia, who saw off Ireland and USA in their group.

Former York Wasps ace Jamie Benn has re-signed for York City Knights National League Two rivals Dewsbury Rams.

Meanwhile, Sheffield Eagles' ever-strengthening NL2 squad is set to be boosted further with the recruitment of Aled James.

The Wales international, who played four Super League games for Widnes last season, is set to move to Don Valley Stadium having finished rugby union commitments.

Updated: 10:52 Tuesday, May 18, 2004