Rugby League Today: Leeds eye Powell, next England game & what’s the point in 19-man squads?
What’s on site
Hull coach Lee Radford said it was hard to explain his side’s emphatic Challenge Cup win over Catalans on Thursday night, following their Magic Weekend horror show against Huddersfield last Saturday.
The latest expansionist blog looks at the potential to build upon the Catalans Dragons game held at Nou Camp recently.
Bolton will host the Challenge Cup semi-finals after all, despite the football club’s current financial strife.
England have been given a mid-July deadline to decide whether to accept an invitation to play in the European Championship in 2020, alongside France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
The 1895 Cup second round takes place over the weekend and on Wednesday – here are all the games, and also what happens should a team reach the semi-finals of both the 1895 Cup and Challenge Cup.
Don’t forget to catch up with the latest Love Rugby League podcast with Dave Parkinson and Adrian Jackson.
What’s on social
Just what is the point in the 19-man squad announcements?
Tiresome Geoff. I keep raising the issue. Either scrap the rule or police it properly. I have no idea why the RFL haven’t addressed this problem. As ever what we allow will continue. https://t.co/dcldWezm5r
— Rod Studd (@Rod_Studd) May 30, 2019
You can’t say that supporting Hull is boring…
Hull FC since Easter..
Beat Rovers 56-12
Lose to St Helens 16-62
Beat Wakefield 30-14
Lose to Catalans 6-37
Beat Cas 28-12
Beat Wire away 19-12
Lose to Huddersfield 2-55, still 4th
Beat Catalans 51-8 and into Challenge Cup semiMadness
— Dan Tomlinson (@dantomlinson92) May 30, 2019
One of the things I dislike about Magic Weekend.
Reminds me of Murrayfield. £80 a ticket, 4 games a year, 80 minutes of the best players in the world. Can folk do without a drink for 80mins??? Ohhh no. A beer is more important than the game. Please go to the pub and stay there!!! #pita
— Universal You (@UniversalYou) May 30, 2019
The hypothetical broadcast and sponsorship talk surrounding the North American expansion plans is starting to get absurd.
Thats just hilarious when Saints averaged the third biggest attendance in 2018, have one of the best purpose built RL stadiums in the UK, with arguably the best youth development system. You’re in fantasy land. https://t.co/RpExY61Q9l
— RedVee.Net (@RedVeeDotNet) May 30, 2019
What’s in the papers
Leeds chief Gary Hetherington has lavished praise on Castleford coach Daryl Powell in the Daily Star, as they continue the search for a permanent successor to the recently sacked David Furner.
South Sydney and New South Wales star Cody Walker will not sing the Australian national anthem when State of Origin kicks-off next week, reports The Guardian.
Birthdays
Toronto centre Chase Stanley turns 30 today.
What’s on TV/radio
11am – Live NRL: Parramatta v South Sydney – Sky Sports Arena
7.30pm – Live Challenge Cup: Hull KR v Warrington – Sky Sports Arena
Trivia
Leeds won their first Super League title in 2004, a year after Daryl Powell had been moved upstairs to a Director of Rugby post to accommodate the arrival of Tony Smith as coach.
