INTERNATIONAL stars are shining brightly at York Rugby Union Club's base at Clifton Park.

This week former Scottish ace Tony Stanger has been putting players through their paces in training.

Later this month will be the turn of former British Lion John Bentley, who will be on hand at the youth section's Introduction to Rugby Fun Day.

Scottish hammer Stanger wrote himself into rugby folklore north of the border when he left high-flying English wing Rory Underwood for dead in the classic Five Nations winner-takes-all encounter at Murrayfield on March 17, 1990.

Stanger's match-clinching try came when Gavin Hastings, himself no stranger to Clifton Park with his links with the Quality Street Gang, chipped the perfect ball over the English defence and Stanger was on it like a flash, leaving RAF pilot Underwood in his slipstream.

The victory earned the Tartan army the Grand Slam, Triple Crown and Calcutta Cup, leaving England with nothing.

Since that historic game the former Edinburgh Reiver has had a spell in France with Grenoble but is now with the Leeds Tykes and is assistant manager of their Academy.

It was there that York coach Andy Gair linked up with him and he was happy to visit Clifton Park this week to put players through a variety of training routines.

Hot on Stanger's heels is another Lionheart, Bentley, who is community marketing manager for the Tykes.

The dual international will be at the hub of York youth section's Introduction to Rugby Fun Day on Tuesday, October 28.

The day, which coincides with half-term, will start at 9am and finish at 4pm, is aimed at boys and girls aged 11 to 14 and is absolutely free.

There will be competitions and prizes up for grabs and among the RFU qualified coaches on hand will be Bentley.

Anyone interested is advised to book, as numbers will be limited, by contacting Adrian Snook on 01904 400197 or Phil Bambridge on 491895.

RUMOUR has it that Pocklington's club secretary Rob Jackson's title as the fastest Guinness barman in the west will come under threat next Saturday.

After the game against Beverley at Percy Road Micky Beard is organising a Guinness race as part of an Irish night at Pock's HQ.

Beard regularly takes a Pock party on tour to Kerry and Rob Jackson has starred in the barman's race round Cahirciveen town centre which involves carrying a pint of the black stuff on a tray.

Jackson has been installed as bookies' favourite for the Pock version, but spies tell me that members of Pocklington Running Club, who are also based at Percy Road, fancy their chances of toasting success.

HARROGATE'S Steven Hobson is expecting a rocket on Bonfire Night.

He has been asked to appear at a hearing at Brighouse, near Leeds, on Tuesday, November 5, following his sending-off in the Powergen Cup second round match against Nuneaton when he received two yellow cards.

SOME of the younger players at Selby have been slaving away in the kitchen this week.

Their 'Caf Society' group are holding a wine and pudding night in the Sandhill Lane clubhouse this evening. Fortunately they won't have a game the following day as each Society member is expected to provide his own home cooked pudding.

JOHNNY Frank is the 'Mr Versatile' of Percy Road.

The all-rounder was expected to fill his preferred position of scrum half this afternoon for Pocklington at Dinnington in the Powergen Intermediate Cup second round.

In his previous two outings for Pock, Frank has slotted in as an emergency full-back and had a run out on the wing.

Updated: 11:52 Saturday, October 19, 2002