Former world heavyweight champion Frank Bruno has officially applied for the re-instatement of his British Boxing Board of Control licence.

The 41-year-old has not fought since losing to Mike Tyson for the second time in Las Vegas over seven years ago.

However, Bruno has recently been mooted as a possible future opponent for Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison and this move would suggest that he is seriously considering that prospect.

Southern Area Council chief Robert Smith said: ''We have received an application from Mr Bruno and we'll be dealing with his application just as we would with any other.

''But obviously, there are a few matters which we need to have cleared up before we go forward.''

The most likely obstacle to Bruno boxing again would be past problems with retina damage.

Smith added: ''I think you'd be living in cuckoo land not to have a query about his eyes. We've asked Bruno for further information before we consider his application further.''

RUGBY UNION: Battered, bruised and stitched together, full-back Josh Lewsey is excited to be back in England colours for the clash with Australia this Saturday and has not let the experience of having his head trampled on affect his preparations.

Lewsey had feared for his eyesight as the boot of New Zealand lock Ali Williams connected repeatedly to the side of his face and the back of his head last weekend, leaving him requiring stitches.

''I try and stay away from the forwards,'' he said. "I don't see it as being an issue.''

Lewsey will sport the number 15 shirt in an England side that contains two changes, both in the front row.

England team: J Lewsey (Wasps); J Robinson (Sale), W Greenwood (Harlequins), M Tindall (Bath), B Cohen (Northampton); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), K Bracken (Saracens); T Woodman (Gloucester), S Thompson (Northampton), P Vickery (Gloucester), M Johnson (Leicester, cpt), B Kay (Leicester), R Hill (Saracens), N Back (Leicester), L Dallaglio (Wasps) Replacements: M Regan (Leeds), J Leonard (Harlequins), S Borthwick (Bath), J Worsley (Wasps), M Dawson (Northampton), A King (Wasps), D Luger (Harlequins).

BOXING: Lennox Lewis has been accused of ducking out of a fight with International Boxing Federation champion Chris Byrd. The American will be ringside at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on Saturday night to watch Lewis defend his World Boxing Council title against Vitali Klitschko. But Byrd believes he should be facing Lewis having inflicted the only blemish on Klitschko's career in Germany just over three years ago.

''That's the fight I've always wanted because everyone thinks he's so big and so good,'' said Byrd of Lewis. ''I will clown him and beat him in the process."

CRICKET: Zimbabwe clinched a thrilling three-run win over Somerset in the 50-over tour match at Taunton - but it was victory at a price. Stuart Carlisle, whose 119 had led the tourists to a total of 285-9 after winning the toss, later sustained a dislocated right thumb fielding a full-blooded drive from Ian Blackwell.

MOTOR RACING: Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has joined forces with Michael Schumacher in criticising Formula One's current points system as ''absurd.''

Five-times world champion Schumacher captured the lead in this season's title race for the first time on Sunday with his victory in the Canadian Grand Prix at Montreal.

It was Schumacher's fourth race win. ''Schumacher only has a small advantage at the top of the table despite winning four races to Kimi Raikkonen's one,'' said di Montezemolo.

ATHLETICS: Cathy Freeman's disappointing comeback looks to have convinced the Olympic 400metres champion to hang up her spikes at the end of the season. Freeman, who took two years away from athletics following the Olympics for a rest and then to help care for her sick husband Sandy Bodecker, has been sluggish on the track where results have been disappointing. Her fifth-placed finish at the Prefontaine Classic last month, in a race won by Mexico's Ana Guevara, has raised doubts in the champion's mind about whether she can continue to do her reputation justice.

FOOTBALL: Albany Northern League Second Division club Crook Town are holding their Annual General meeting in the Millfield clubhouse on Thursday , 26th June, beginning at 7pm. Meanwhile, Murton are hoping to announce their new manager in the next couple of days.

SPORT ON TV TODAY: A selective guide

CRICKET: Twenty20 Cup, Worcestershire v Warwickshire - Sky Sports 1 1730.

RACING: From Ascot - BBC1 1345 & BBC2 1530, highlights BBC1 2320; from Ripon and Worcester - Sky Sports 2 1830.

FOOTBALL: Confederations Cup, France v Colombia - British Eurosport 1945; Toulon Under-21 Tournament, Colombia v Mexico - British Eurosport 1430; Italy v Poland - British Eurosport 1700.