RL Today: Wire forward on the move & Challenge Cup viewing figures

Drew Darbyshire 09 May 2022 7:00 AM

Challenge Cup Elland Road SWpix — Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix

Challenge Cup viewing figures revealed

BBC commentator Dave Woods has revealed the viewing figures for Saturday’s Challenge Cup triple-header.

A peak audience of 900k watched Wigan beat St Helens in a classic cup tie. The women’s Challenge Cup final peaked at 300k.

Strong figures for @TheChallengeCup on @BBCSport yesterday. 900k peak watched Wigan v Sts, averaged at 700k. Women’s final peaked at 300k, with average 200k. Huddersfield v HullKR peaked at 700k and averaged at 600k.

— Dave Woods (@DaveWoodsSport) May 8, 2022

Wire forward on the move

Wakefield are on the verge of signing Warrington prop Rob Butler. (Yorkshire Live)

The 23-year-old is to sign a deal with Trinity until the end of next season, according to Yorkshire Live.

New venue for Women’s Super League Grand Final

The 2022 Women’s Super League Grand Final will return to the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens on Sunday, September 18.

The 2022 WSL Grand Final has been awarded to St Helens after an application process open to all BSWL clubs. The semi-finals will be played at Headingley in Leeds on Sunday, September 4.

Wales win Celtic Cup

Wales Wheelchair claimed their sixth Celtic Cup success at the weekend. They beat Scotland and Ireland to get their hands on the trophy again, with this year’s tournament being held in Wrexham.

Farrell wants to finish his career at Wigan

Photo: Will Palmer/SWpix

Wigan forward Liam Farrell is out of contract at the end of the season, but he hopes to sign a new deal and finish his career with his hometown club.

“I’ve been here for so long now and it is all I ever wanted to do and hopefully that can be the case where I stay until the end of my career,” Farrell told Love Rugby League.

“I’ve never thought about anything else so hopefully that will be the case.”

Every out of contract Super League player

With the recruitment window now open in Super League, here’s a full list of every player out of contract at the end of 2022.

May 1 marked the first day of the transfer window in Super League. This means clubs can now speak to players who are off-contract for the 2023 campaign for a potential move.

There are still some big names in the Super League without a contract for the 2023 season and beyond.

Birthdays

Tonga and St Helens back Will Hopoate turns 30 today (May 9).

Also celebrating; ex-St Helens forward Mike Bennett (42), Hull centre Josh Griffin (32), Castleford winger Sosaia Feki (31), Wigan winger Liam Marshall (26) and Greece World Cup hopeful Lachlan Ilias (22).