Paper Talk: Season start date, Saints v Wigan for England captain & special Pryce
Some of the headlines from your Monday morning rugby league paper talk.
Dates for the diary
The new Super League season is set to kick-off on Thursday February 10, with the Grand Final being lined up for Saturday September 24, reports League Express. A full 27-round season and mid-season international will need to be squeezed in to accommodate the re-arranged World Cup at the end of the year.
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Saints v Wigan for England captaincy
St Helens’ Jonny Lomax and Wigan back-rower John Bateman are the two contenders to captain England in the test in France on Saturday, according to League Express. Sam Tomkins, who captained England in Shaun Wane’s only game in charge so far, is missing with a knee injury.
Young Knights have England World Cup dream
England Knights’ win over Jamaica at the weekend has several young talents thirsty for more international action. And young Leeds centre Jack Broadbent says they have their eye on forging their way in to the England World Cup squad in 2022.
He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “We are a young squad, I think the average age is 21 and we’ve gone out and put a great performance on.”
Pryce is a special talent
Huddersfield veteran Michael Lawrence says club team-mate Will Pryce is a special talent. The two went head-to-head on Friday when Lawrence turned out for Jamaica against England Knights.
He told The Sun: “From day one of pre-season, I knew he was a special talent.”
Pryce caught the eye again on Friday and already has some fans asking whether Huddersfield’s new signings Theo Fages and Tui Lolohea will be able to keep him out of the team.
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