Rugby League Today: Player turns politician, no Inglis & Hull threaten stadium move
What’s on site
We’ll have to wait a little longer to see Greg Inglis make his Warrington and Super League debut, with coach Steve Price refusing to put a timeframe on when the former Australia international might make his matchday squad.
The women’s Super League gets underway this weekend and Wigan captain Rachel Thompson spoke to us about how its growing status within the game is enabling dreams to come true.
In case you missed it last weekend, Tommy Makinson appeared on popular TV show Soccer AM – and here’s why it’s encouraging for the game.
There are four games to go in the French Elite Championship and Carcassonne remain in the box seat for top spot.
York have added three Super League players on-loan ahead of their Championship game against Sheffield at the weekend – Yusuf Aydin (Wakefield), Lewis Peachey (Castleford) and Joe Keyes (Hull KR) have all bolstered James Ford’s squad.
Fellow Championship side Widnes have also extended the loan deal of Warrington forward Eribe Doro until the end of the season, albeit with a recall option.
What’s on social
Lots of good vibes coming from Shaun Wane’s first England training session.
Good to be back on the training field yesterday 👊🏼🏉 @TheRFL @England_RL @RLWC2021 @swpixtweets #rugbyleague pic.twitter.com/Uc8c5jkp7V
— Shaun Wane (@Shaun_waney) April 14, 2021
Cracking from Google earlier in the week.
Today’s #GoogleDoodle celebrates Welsh Rugby League legend Clive Sullivan. He was the first black player to captain a British national sports team, leading Great Britain to World Cup glory in 1972. pic.twitter.com/GhqYvM2tPs
— Google UK (@GoogleUK) April 9, 2021
What’s in the papers
An extraordinary rugby league story in The Mirror, about Jamaica international forward Ross Peltier standing in the forthcoming local elections for the Green Party.
Lee Radford is being heavily linked with the Castleford job in the Yorkshire press, with an awkward reunion with Liam Watts who left Hull during his reign.
A rant in the Hull Daily Mail about the lack of urgency and depth of official rugby league coverage which stokes a few fires here at Love RL HQ – perhaps instead of trying to compete with the media, the official channels can maximise the gold that they have at their own disposal. Video and proper data needs to be a priority, not replicating the same old social media posts for some cheap engagement.
Another report in the Hull Daily Mail focuses on a dispute between Hull FC and the stadium management company at the KCOM Stadium. It even reports that rugby club owner Adam Pearson is threatening to move elsewhere when their lease comes to an end in seven years.
Birthdays
New Leigh loan signing from St Helens Josh Simm turns 21 today (April 15).
Also celebrating: former Australia and New South Wales forward Willie Mason (41); Halifax forward Dane Manning (32); recently retired hooker Shaun Lunt (34); Keighley legend James Feather (37)
What’s on TV/radio
10.55am – Live NRL: Brisbane Broncos v Penrith Panthers (Watch NRL)
7pm – Live Super League: Leeds v Wigan (Sky Sports Main Event & Arena)
Fans in the UK and beyond can once again watch every NRL game live and on demand in 2021 through the WatchNRL service.
Trivia
Hull FC’s nickname, the Airlie Birds, comes from their old ground at the Boulevard, which was based on Airlie Street. They moved from there to the KCOM Stadium ahead of the 2003 season.