RL Today: England test series, Odsal plans & NRL star out of World Cup

England test series

England are set to host a test series in 2023 as part of international plans following this year’s World Cup. (Yorkshire Live)

The Rugby Football League are keen for England to play more frequently in the future and plans for a test series next autumn have been drawn up, according to Yorkshire Live.

Odsal plans

Bradford Council have submitted plans for a 25,000-capacity indoor arena on the site of Bradford’s Odsal Stadium. (Daily Mail)

The project include building the largest permanently covered stadium in England, which would host internationals and big domestic games, according to the Daily Mail.

Keighley eye international prop

Nigeria international Sadiq Adebiyi is attracting interest from newly-promoted Championship side Keighley. (Yorkshire Live)

The 25-year-old joined Wakefield for 2022 from London Broncos but made just three appearances in a Trinity shirt. He will be a Keighley player in 2023, according to Yorkshire Live.

NRL star out of World Cup

Australia have suffered another blow to their squad selection for the World Cup, with powerhouse Payne Haas pulling out of the tournament for personal reasons. (Wide World of Sports)

Haas said: “I need to be there for my little brothers and give them a bit of guidance. I felt that was more important than going over to England and playing the World Cup.”

Addo-Carr’s World Cup goal

Australia international winger Josh Addo-Carr has won everything there is to win in rugby league apart from the World Cup – and he is eager to complete his trophy cabinet this autumn. (The West Australian)

The Canterbury Bulldogs speedster told AAP: “It has always been a goal of mine to play in a World Cup and win a World Cup with Australia. It is the only thing I haven’t achieved yet.”

Cuthbertson joins Love RL Podcast

Super League Grand Final winner and current Featherstone assistant coach Adam Cuthbertson is this week’s guest on the Love Rugby League Podcast!

The former NRL forward discusses the vital influence Wayne Bennett had on him as a youngster. Cuthbertson also talks about his time at Leeds and the success he enjoyed, as well as looking at the current resurgence at the Rhinos.

He also shares the fight for promotion to Super League. His club Featherstone face Batley in the semi-finals in the Championship this weekend.

Birthdays

Great Britain and St Helens legend Paul Sculthorpe turns 45 today (September 22).

Also celebrating; ex-St Helens forward Chris Morley (49), Barrow forward Dan Toal (33), New Zealand international Kenny Bromwich (31), Scotland and Leigh forward Joe Wardle (31) and Samoa World Cup hopeful Stephen Crichton (22).

Trivia

Adrian Morley is the only British player to play in a Grand Final winning side in both England and Australia. Morley played for Sydney Roosters when they defeated New Zealand Warriors 30-8 in 2002, and for Bradford Bulls when they defeated Leeds Rhinos 15-6 in 2005.