Rugby League Today: Laithwaite helps NHS, Women’s campaign concerns & will players get a pre-season?

Drew Darbyshire

A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.

What’s on site

Rochdale winger Shaun Ainscough says the good days are only just beginning for the club.

PA’s Ian Laybourn has selected the top 10 Great British rugby league players of all-time.

Paper Talk: Catalans eye May return, Shaun Kenny-Dowall on Super League & Ben Currie impresses Steve Price.

We’ve picked out the top six props of the NRL era. Spoiler alert: Australia and Fiji legend Petero Civoniceva is on the list.

Wigan fan Martin Marshall is the latest guest on My Set of Six. He talks John Bateman, The Stoop and Harlequins v Manly.

What’s in the papers

Leeds coach Richard Agar believes players may sacrifice some ‘pre-season’ to get rugby league going, reports The Sun.

Super League players to learn what pay cuts they face during COVID-19 crisis, reports Wigan Today.

Former Warrington forward James Laithwaite is helping to feed vulnerable residents and NHS staff during the coronavirus pandemic, reports Warrington Guardian.

Bradford women’s captain Amy Hardcastle does not see a way that her team’s season can start this year, reports The Telegraph & Argus.

Why Leeds chief Gary Hetherington says switch to summer was crucial for rugby league, reports Yorkshire Evening Post.

What’s on social

Vintage Cas!

He has a big future ahead of him…

More than 900 have signed so far…

What’s on TV/Radio

Fox League LIVE – Fox League (8am)

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

Huddersfield coach Simon Woolford turn 45 today.

Also celebrating; Huddersfield centre Leroy Cudjoe (32), York back-rower Chris Clarkson (30) and Warrington prop Sitaleki Akauola (28).

Trivia

The highest attendance at a Super League Grand Final came in 2015, when Leeds beat Wigan in front of 73,512 people at Old Trafford.

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