Rugby League Today: Ashes series in tatters & no appetite for games behind closed doors

Drew Darbyshire

A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.

What’s on site

Our Brits Down Under feature from round two of the NRL season is out now – but it will be the last for a while after the NRL campaign was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Meet Matthieu Khedimi: The talented French hooker who dreams of playing in Super League.

Referee Ben Thaler is free to return to the game after being cleared by the Rugby Football League following an investigation.

This week’s paper talk is out now – 1895 Cup may be pulled, Hull in no rush for coach and PNG star returns home.

London Skolars’ long-serving chief executive Ian ‘Hector’ McNeil and chairman Terry Browne have stepped down from the League One club.

What’s in the papers

Warrington chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick believes there is currently “no appetite” among Super League clubs to play games behind closed doors, reports Warrington Guardian.

John Bateman opens up on coronavirus NRL fears after “catastrophic” warning, reports the Daily Star.

England’s Ashes series against Australia looks doomed after the NRL finally suspended its season, reports The Sun.

Phil Gould predicts the NRL won’t return until 2021, reports Wigan Today.

Watch: Luke Burgess storms brother Sam’s live interview wearing Borat-style mankini, reports Fox Sports.

What’s on social

Oliver Gildart has launched his own podcast.

Build your back-line…

Mitch Moses is a special talent.

What’s on TV/Radio

NRL Tonight – Fox League (7am)

NRL 360 (Players Night) – Fox League (7:30am)

The Fan – Fox League (8:30am)

Former Super League and NRL forward Keith Mason is this week’s guest on The Last Tackle. He talks about his switch to the NRL at 20 as well as his new rugby comic – Rugby Blood.

Super League’s Out Of Your League podcast is back, featuring Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan.

Sky Sports’ Golden Point podcast is available to download now.

Tanya Arnold hosts the Super League Show.

Podcast: The Final Hooter #4 – featuring rugby league royalty Ellery Hanley.

The latest Forty20 LIVE podcast is out now.

The latest 5 Live Rugby League Podcast is out now, hosted by Dave Woods.

Birthdays

Puig Aubert, one of the greatest French players of all-time, would have been 94-years-old today.

Also celebrating; Australia legend Darren Lockyer (43), ex-Tonga international Manase Manuokafoa (35) and former Sheffield half-back Pat Walker (34).

Trivia

Wigan hold the record for biggest away win in Super League, having battered Hull KR 84-6 in 2013.

Watch our Last Tackle podcast, featuring a guest, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on YouTube.

Listen to The Final Hooter podcast, featuring exclusive interviews, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on Apple Podcasts.
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