On hearing the news of Lawrence Dallaglio's alleged confession of drug-taking, Frank Keating says his first reaction was of total disbelief - anybody but Lawrence, he cries.

Similar sentiments are expressed in the Sun and the Daily Mail, which says that Dallaglio's clean-cut image and straight talking had made him the perfect candidate to remove the bad taste left by the era of his predecessor, Will Carling. He appeared, the Mail insists, to be an all-round good egg.

According to The Express, those who know him are astonished by allegations about drugs - even though they accept that he has always been a ladies' man.

The Times believes it is inevitable that Dallaglio will have to resign the England captaincy. The Mirror takes a strong line on the claims - topping its front page with the words "Sack Him".

Quarantine fears

The Express leads with a report that family pets are being smuggled into Britain so that owners can avoid the quarantine rules. An Express reporter, posing as a worried dog owner, is said to have met a man known only as Robert who offered to smuggle the pet across the Channel for £1,000. Up to 5,000 animals a year are said to be coming into the country illegally.

The possible dangers posed by foods made with genetically modified products are raised again in The Guardian.

The paper claims that GM soya beans found in most common processed foods, including biscuits and soft drinks, have been released onto the market without the necessary safety checks to protect human health. Two scientists - working in Tasmania and Australia - have urged the American authorities to withdraw the products.

Ground troops welcomed

The Independent welcomes the news that Nato is planning to double the number of ground troops to be deployed in the Balkans.

It says the announcement is long overdue, but still does not answer a number of key questions - such as who should provide the personnel, what sort of forces will be needed and where they will be based.

The Times believes the decision will send a fresh declaration of intent to President Milosevic, and indicates that Nato's stance is hardening.

According to the Financial Times, British Airways is considering scrapping a range of UK domestic flights because they make a loss. The paper says that the company is expected this week to announce its lowest annual profits in six years.

There is a little solace for all those women who have long suffered abuse from men about their map-reading in the car.

According to The Daily Telegraph, a new study has found that women are just as good as men with directions, but lack confidence because of constant criticism.