Rugby League Today: Anger at Toronto fall out, players offered round & Championship/League 1 seasons over

James Gordon

Quiet evening, wasn’t it?

What’s on site

The Championship and League 1 seasons will not resume in 2020, the RFL have confirmed. But there will be a special autumn competition to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the game.

Relegation and promotion has been scrapped for 2020, and Super League have welcomed the news.

Brian Carney made a scathing assessment on Toronto’s withdrawal live on Sky Sports, on what he called a “dark day for Super League”

As if things weren’t crazy enough, Featherstone wasted no time in issuing a statement to say that they would be up for taking Toronto’s place in Super League. Apparently, they weren’t the only ones to express an interest either.

All of the above triggered by this announcement at 4pm yesterday, that Toronto were sensationally withdrawing from the rest of the 2020 Super League season.

In other news, and somewhat buried by the Toronto announcement quite soon after, the RLEF will not be endorsing the new EuroXIIIs competition after failing to receive financial details that they had requested from the rebel league.

What’s on social

Couldn’t have put it better myself.

Kallum Watkins’ wife lifts the lid a little.

Heritage. Is that all we’ve got worth celebrating anymore?

Here’s your silver lining, folks!

What’s in the papers

For an authoritative view on Toronto Wolfpack from across the pond, check out this interview from Bryan Thiel with CEO Bob Hunter, which addresses late payments to players, reveals that visa issues had been resolved and how players have been offered to other clubs.

Hull KR’s Tony Smith says in the Yorkshire Post that he is not surprised by the downfall of Toronto Wolfpack, and has expressed his surprise at the lack of media coverage of the Wolfpack’s struggles over the past few years.

Something about Leeds Rhinos using Leeds United as inspiration with Luke Gale in the Daily Star.

Birthdays

Castleford coach Daryl Powell turns 55 today (July 21).

Also celebrating: Queensland legend Gene Miles (61); ex-Widnes half-back Stephen Myler, who went on to forge a successful career in Premiership Rugby union (36);

What’s on TV/radio

Brian Noble appeared on Sky Sports News to talk about Toronto, who else.

Trivia

Toronto Wolfpack have won 78 of the 95 games they’ve played in the club’s existence – losing 15 and drawing two.

Features Brian Carney

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