Paper Talk: NRL take game to USA, French derby to Marseille & ‘united’ rugby league
It’s time for this week’s rugby league paper talk.
Fixtures due date
Super League fixtures will be released on Thursday 25 November, according to League Express. With the Grand Final at the end of September, it means there will be several weeks with two rounds required to be played. Championship and League 1 schedules are expected the week before.
Charnley chatter quashed
Rumours that Josh Charnley is leaving Warrington this winter are wide of the mark. The former Wigan winger is out of contract at the end of 2022 and he remains in new coach Daryl Powell’s plans, particularly with the exits of Tom Lineham and Jake Mamo. Charnley will be the Wire’s senior winger, with Matty Ashton expected to be first choice on the other wing. (Manchester Evening News)
United rugby league
In the week he celebrated 25 years in charge, Leeds chief Gary Hetherington says that rugby league is more united than ever as the RFL and Super League prepare to re-align. He said: “There is a common purpose now to do something collectively because our sport could be in jeopardy if we don’t do something about it.” (Leeds Live)
NRL game in the USA
The NRL are eager to take a regular season match to the USA. Manly and South Sydney are in discussions about taking a game there in 2023; with reports Down Under suggesting plans were well advanced until the COVID pandemic caused them to be ripped up. (Sydney Morning Herald)
RFL respond to concussion case
The RFL has issued a response to the threat of legal action launched by a group of former players in relation to head injuries last week.
A statement said: “The RFL takes player safety and welfare extremely seriously and has been saddened to hear about some of the former players’ difficulties. Rugby league continues to improve and develop its approach to concussion, head injury assessment, education, management and prevention across the whole game.” (League Express)
Big stadium for French derby
Catalans want to take their Super League derby against Toulouse to the 67,394-capacity home of Olympique Marseille football club next season. Both clubs are keen to make the most of their presence in Super League to raise commercial awareness. (League Express)
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