Paper Talk: New Bradford stadium, Watson committed to Salford & Aston on Sheffield ambitions

We’ve had a flick through the Bank Holiday Monday trade papers.

Cup final moving forward

RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer says the Challenge Cup final is heading in the right direction, despite its lowest crowd for an all-English final since 1998, reports League Weekly. The final will be reviewed at a debrief, with talk of moving it away from Wembley not going away, while it was confirmed last week that it will be brought forward to July next year.

Ambitious Aston looks ahead

A passionate Mark Aston has called on the city of Sheffield to support his team, and says he wants to get the club back to Super League, reports League Express. The 1998 Lance Todd winner also laments the decision to merge the club with Huddersfield shortly after their famous Challenge Cup triumph.

New stadium plans for Bradford

There are plans for a new 15,000-capacity stadium over the road from Odsal, according to League Weekly. It will replace the soon to be demolished Richard Dunn Sports Centre, with hopes the stadium could be ready within two years.

Watson cool on Saints talk

Salford coach Ian Watson has not been contacted about the St Helens job, set to be vacated by Justin Holbrook at the end of the season, according to League Express. The bookies expect Saints to bring in another Australian.

Manchester reserves

Also in League Express, Swinton chairman Andy Mazey says he has held talks with Salford about fielding players in their reserve team next year. Both clubs, together with Rochdale and Oldham, had a plan to field a joint Manchester reserve side this season turned down last year.

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