How and why have these two companies managed to fall out so badly? The tale of how the

How, and why, have these two companies managed to fall out so badly? The tale of how the two largest PC suppliers in the United States came to court shows how high feelings are running as prices continue to fall in the PC industry, putting the squeeze on all PC manufacturers. Rivalry between Compaq and Packard Bell has always been intense, but has stepped up as the latter has moved out of its stronghold in the retail sector to take on Compaq across the entire PC market. Even by the litigious standards of the computer industry, the case that will be heard in Delaware District Court today highlights one of the most bitter recent clashes between IT suppliers. In the circumstances, Ladbrokes' offer of 15-8 against France looks too good to miss. It has more appeal than England's latest price for the cricket World Cup.After yesterday's debacle against a Donald-less South Africa, they are 14-1 to win the tournament; 40-1 would be nearer the mark.FIVE NATIONS' CHAMPIONSHIP: (Ladbrokes): 8-11 Scotland, 15-8 France, 5-1 England.COCA-COLA CUP: (Ladbrokes): 8-13 Aston Villa, 5-4 Leeds.. They would go to Cardiff two weeks later with everything to play for, while England would require either a French defeat, or a cricket- score win against Ireland.

Defeat on Saturday, however, would leave them with virtually no chance of finishing top, since points difference will separate the teams if they finish tied.France would then be favourites, thanks to their crushing victory against Ireland. It may work, but at such odds it is not a risk worth taking.More interesting, though, is the effect an England victory would have on outright betting on the tournament. Scotland, within one victory of the Grand Slam, are favourites at 8-11. The surprise is that Scotland, unbeaten and playing at home, are not favoured either by Ladbrokes or Hills (Coral, strangely, have no prices at present).

Ladbrokes offer 10-11 each of two (with the draw at 16-1) while Hills have Scotland at evens and England on 4-5, 14-1 the draw. The reintroduction of Dean Richards into the England pack has sent a clear signal of intent - to squeeze the life out of the game and scrape a result by whatever means necessary. Three teams have a realistic chance of winning, while the betting on England's match at Murrayfield next week might as well be on the toss of a coin. In a welcome reversal of the usual pattern, betting on rugby's Five Nations' Championship is far more interesting after three rounds of matches than it was at the start of the tournament. Substitute not used: Kharin (gk).Referee: G Ashby (Worcester).Bookings: Southampton Watson, Magilton, Venison Chelsea Wise, Hughes.Man of the match: Gullit Attendance: 15,226..

Substitutes not used: Robinson, Grobbelaar (gk).Chelsea (3-5-1-1): Hitchcock; Duberry (Johnsen, 72), Lee, Clarke; Petrescu, Spackman (Spencer, 80), Gullit, Wise, Phelan; Peacock; Hughes. For all that, it spoke volumes, of course.Goals: Widdrington (7) 1-0; Wise 21 (1-1); Wise (pen 27) 1-2; Shipperley (37) 2-2; Gullit (54) 2-3.Southampton (4-4-2): Beasant; Dodd, Hall, Monkou, Charlton; Le Tissier, Magilton, Widdrington, Walters (Venison, 74); Watson, Shipperley. In his analysis of a gifted player's duties, Gullit had emphasised that it was not directed at the enigmatic Englishman. You always have to work hard because that's what they expect of you If you set a good example, then they do the same thing I was raised like this. It helps me."That it is also helping Chelsea delights Gullit, who is happy with the team and their style and intends to be around a while yet.It was obviously not in Chelsea's game plan to fall behind in the formative stages, a goal which needed a deflection but still signified their defensive uncertainty.