RL Today: Roby World Cup call, Cougarmania & scrapping double-headers

Drew Darbyshire 29 Aug 2022 9:11 AM

Roby makes World Cup call

James Roby has signed a contract extension to play his 20th season with hometown club St Helens in 2023 – but he says he won’t be playing for England at the World Cup. (The Guardian)

The legendary hooker, who turns 37 in November, admitted he did think about coming out of international retirement for the World Cup. He told The Guardian: “I basically decided it was going to be one last crack at a World Cup or going again with St Helens next year.”

Double-headers to be scrapped

Rugby league will scrap double-headers from 2023, including the traditional Easter schedule. (Yorkshire Live)

Super League clubs are currently undergoing their second double-header of the season, just seven weeks before the World Cup. But double-headers will be a thing of the past from next season, according to Yorkshire Live.

TV coverage for Super League’s final round

Sky Sports will show two games of Super League’s final round of the regular season.

Catalans Dragons’ trip to Wigan (8pm) will be shown on Friday evening.

And on Saturday, the crunch clash between Leeds and Castleford will be televised (3pm). It could be a winner takes all game, with the Rhinos and Tigers aiming to fill the final play-off places.

Cougarmania is back

League 1 champions Keighley Cougars have made no secret of the fact they want to a solid and sustainable Super League club in the near future. (The Yorkshire Post)

Cougars co-owner Ryan O’Neill told The Yorkshire Post: “People might laugh at the thought of Keighley Cougars winning Super League but that’s our ambition and intention, absolutely.”

Talakai’s terrific gesture

Why rugby league players are great…

This is what the @cronullasharks are all about. Proud of my guy Sif, and proud to be a part of what we’ve got building down here in the Shire 💙#UpUp pic.twitter.com/8h1DftOc8j

— Gary Dover (@gazdot) August 26, 2022

TONGA: How Tonga could line-up at Rugby League World Cup

Paulo makes fan’s day

Why rugby league players are great 2.0…

This is so sweet! Take a bow Junior 🥺

Video 🎥@cultivatecareau #PARRAdise pic.twitter.com/EMLAS1DjS4

— Parramatta Eels (@TheParraEels) August 26, 2022

SAMOA: How Samoa could line-up at the Rugby League World Cup

Birthdays

Former Great Britain international Harvey Howard turns 54 today (August 29).

Also celebrating; former Leeds centre Joe Vickey (33), Scotland World Cup hopeful Guy Graham (24) and ex-Leigh, Halifax, Huddersfield and Castleford winger Stuart Donlan (44).

Trivia

Keighley Cougars have not lost a game in League 1 this season. They have already been crowned champions of League 1 and will be playing in the Championship in 2023.

PODCAST: Lee Briers on NRL ambition, Wigan honour & Super League restructure