Briefs 4-Italian cycling association calls for doping life bans

Oct 23 (Reuters) - Sports news in brief from around the world on Thursday:

Cycling - The Italian Professional Cyclists' Association (ACCPI) have sent a letter to International Cycling Union President Pat McQuaid calling for life bans to be given in the most serious cases of doping.

More strictness is needed for cycling to regain credibility, ACCPI said on its website (www.accpi.it), after a series of riders failed drugs tests recently, including Italians Riccardo Ricco, Emanuele Sella and Leonardo Piepoli.

McQuaid said earlier this month that the maximum ban for drugs cheats will be raised from two years to four from 2009.

Rugby - Gloucester back James Simpson-Daniel will miss England's four November internationals after suffering an ankle injury last weekend that requires surgery, the club said on their website (www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com).

Last season's Premiership Player of the Year has been in great form on the wing for his club this term but has endured a torrid six-year international career as illness and injury have regularly ruined his chances. He will be out of action for around 12 weeks.

(Editing by Padraic Halpin)