RL Today: Mitch Garbutt next move, Wigan duo praised & All Black RTS

Mitch Garbutt next move confirmed

Toulouse prop Mitch Garbutt will become player-coach of French Elite 1 Championship side Saint-Gaudens from next season.

It was confirmed yesterday that the Australian front-rower will leave Toulouse upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season. He will remain in France next season, with the Bears in the domestic league.

England and Combined Nations squads

England coach Shaun Wane and Combined Nations All Stars boss Ellery Hanley have named their squads for Saturday’s mid-season match at Warrington.

The All Stars are entering their second year as a concept. They beat England 26-24 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in 2021.

RTS makes All Blacks squad

Former New Zealand rugby league international Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has made the All Blacks squad for the first time since his switch to rugby union. (Planet Rugby)

Samoa-born Tuivasa-Sheck has been named in a 36-man squad for the All Blacks’ three-match test series against Ireland in July.

France v Wales hype

Whilst much of the English media’s attention is on the Combined Nations All Stars clash this weekend, it is important to remember there’s an international test match taking place!

France are hosting Wales in Albi, which is Wales’ first game since before the coronavirus pandemic in 2019. Wales coach John Kear has named 15 uncapped players in his squad.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 vs 🇫🇷 in Albi this weekend aswell incase everyone forgot 🕺🏼

— Gil Dudson (@GilDudson) June 13, 2022

Wigan duo praised

Wigan coach Matt Peet was full of praise for promising youngsters Liam Byrne and Ethan Havard after the front-rowers committed their long-term futures to the club.

Peet said: “Liam has developed himself into a lead front-rower which is testament to his hard work and dedication. He is a pleasure to work with and is someone we are really proud of. We look forward to seeing him develop further.

“Ethan has a very professional approach to his game and has worked hard to achieve what he has so far. He is very determined to take his game to the next level which is exciting for him and the club.”

Super League attendances

Super League attendances dropped to another new low for the 2022 season over the weekend.

A total of 38,578 supporters attended a game during Round 15, giving an average of 6,429 across the six fixtures.

The previous round had recorded the lowest average attendance so far. However, the latest round of action fell just slightly below last week’s figures.

Birthdays

Wales and Warrington legend Lee Briers, currently assistant coach at Wigan, turns 44 today (June 14).

Also celebrating; Ex-Wigan, Huddersfield, London, Castleford and Salford utility Andy Johnson (48), ex-St Helens winger Dom Fe’aunati (44), former France international Mathias Pala (33) and Hull KR utility Brad Takairangi (33).

BRIERS: My time in Carcassonne was the making of me

Trivia

Micky McIlorum has won his first call-up to the England squad in nine years. He represented Ireland in the 2008 World Cup before switching allegiance to birth country England for the 2013 World Cup. The Catalan Dragons hooker then switched back to represent his Irish heritage in the 2017 tournament.

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