Rugby League Today: Bennett and Souths squad ignoring Burgess talk, homegrown blueprint & Adam Hills joins RLWC

James Gordon

What’s on site

St Helens and Wigan have played at least seven homegrown players in every single game they’ve played in 2020 – this week’s editor’s column looks at whether there should be a minimum requirement for clubs to field players they’ve brought through themselves.

There will be no traditional trophy presentation at the 2020 Challenge Cup final, and doubts have been raised about whether plans to have Rob Burrow lead the Leeds team out can actually happen due to the restrictions around the game.

Ireland international Ronan Michael is forging his path to Super League at Huddersfield Giants, and he says he would love to see a professional club in his homeland, specifically in Dublin.

This week’s paper talk includes the apparent confirmation that dual-registration will be scrapped from 2021.

We spoke to Salford’s Swinton-bound debutant Luis Roberts after he made his Super League bow against Warrington last week.

George Williams played a pivotal role as Canberra progressed in the NRL play-offs at the weekend – Zach is here to review how the Brits contributed in the first round of the finals.

What’s on social

No doubt Sam Burgess’ real number was extremely busy over the weekend.

Nice touch by the World Cup to get Adam Hills signed up as an ambassador.

It can’t come soon enough.

What’s in the papers

Wayne Bennett was in bullish mood following South Sydney Rabbitohs’ NRL play-off win over Newcastle at the weekend, which came following the sensational revelations about Sam Burgess. He told The Guardian: “I’m telling you now it’s not going to have any impact on the playing group here because it’s distant from us.”

Ian Blease tells The Mirror of the Challenge Cup final story that runs throughout his life – he was four when Salford last reached Wembley, he came agonisingly close as a player in 1988 and now he’s a director as the Red Devils end their 51-year wait.

Birthdays

Paul ‘Tiger’ Handforth turns 39 today (October 6).

Also celebrating: Fijian winger Akuila Uate (33); former Hull and Harlequins forward Mike Burnett (31); Australian former Halifax, Salford and Leeds half-back Andrew Dunemann (44).

What’s on TV/radio

Get Watch NRL and re-watch the weekend’s games…

Trivia

Two nations will make their debuts in the Men’s World Cup in 2021 – Jamaica and Greece. Brazil are the only debutant in the Women’s tournament.

Features Ian Blease

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