Rugby League Today: Gaskell’s new deal & six again rule to be considered

A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.

What’s on site

Veteran forward Matt Cook is hoping the return of the Super League season will enable him to earn a new deal at Castleford.

Wigan have announced that England back-rower John Bateman will return to the club from Canberra Raiders on a four-year deal from 2021.

Warrington forward Joe Philbin is our latest guest on My Set of Six. He talks making his Great Britain debut, Ben Westwood and the DW Stadium.

Catalans’ marquee-man James Maloney has rubbished speculation linking him with a return to the NRL.

While Super League is returning next month behind closed doors, there is no date on the horizon for fans returning to games.

What’s in the papers

The inside story behind last time Great Britain won Rugby League Ashes – 50 years ago, reports the Mirror.

John Bateman says he “understands that some people have been upset” by his decision to return to Wigan after explaining his reasons for leaving Canberra, reports the Daily Star.

Six again rule to be discussed by rugby league bosses today, reports Wigan Today.

Warrington have ruled out the likelihood of Australian test legend Greg Inglis starting his Wire career early with involvement in the 2020 season, reports Warrington Guardian.

Huddersfield’s Lee Gaskell “excited” for restart after signing new deal, reports The Yorkshire Post.

What’s on social

Who am I?

👏 The answer to yesterday's 'Who am I?' was Ian Henderson!

👀 Who is this former player? #rugbyleague pic.twitter.com/JQDZkBtWgx

— Love Rugby League (@loverugbyleague) July 4, 2020

George Williams scored his first NRL try at the weekend!

Williams splits the defence for his first #NRL try just before the break 👌#NRLRaidersDragons 18-0 at Half-Time. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/fOZ8DZBpHD

— NRL (@NRL) July 3, 2020

This is great video.

😍 As family Zoom calls go, this is a pretty special one…

😏 Did someone say #AnnounceBateman?#WWRL pic.twitter.com/C7JGpYTj5h

— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (at 🏡) (@WiganWarriorsRL) July 3, 2020

What’s on TV/Radio

NRL Tonight – Watch NRL (9am)

NRL 360 – Watch NRL (9:30am)

Best of Matty Johns – Watch NRL (10:30am)

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.

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

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

St Helens coach Kristian Woolf turns 45 today.

Also celebrating; former Australia international Jamal Idris (30), ex-Bradford player Andy Smith (36) and former Cronulla Sharks half-back Jason Ferris (44).

Trivia

The highest attendance for a Rugby League World Cup match came in 2013, when 74,468 people watched Australia beat New Zealand 34-2 in the final at Old Trafford.

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.