Rugby League Today: Challenge Cup draw, Wigan salary cap question & praise for Watts
What’s on site
The fourth round draw for the Challenge Cup has been made, with 12 Championship clubs entering at this stage. Click here to view the draw in full.
Keep an eye out for a new competition in association with Batchelors Mushy Peas going live later today – win a signed England shirt!
Castleford have handed a new deal to long-serving forward Nathan Massey.
Warrington centre Bryson Goodwin is sidelined for a few weeks with an injury picked up against Castleford last week.
With some early pressure on Adrian Lam and David Furner, this week’s Have Your Say asks who will be the first coaching departure in Super League this season?
He stepped up for Castleford last season and looks like having a bright future at the top of Super League and on the international stage – but how well do you know Jake Trueman?
The NRL starts this week, and one of Canberra’s off-season signings from Wigan, Ryan Sutton, is out to prove himself.
What’s on social
We’ve had Pancake Day, we’ve had International Women’s Day – how about Community Rugby League Day?
Right, we need more RT’s. We want this to be a UK-wide Day, so let’s see if we can get some RT’s in Scotland, Wales, Ireland and those expansion areas of England, tag your local clubs’. pic.twitter.com/AukNplvKq8
— Amateur Rugby League (@amateurrl) March 11, 2019
Big shout from former Bradford and Huddersfield star Brandon Costin, now coach of Fiji.
"A Pacific nation will win one of the next three rugby league world cups” @fijirugbyleague head coach Brandon Costin
"We are dealing with the best athletes in the world. They are built like a rock and can run like the wind” Read: https://t.co/fTrP2rY4Xg#IntRL #RLIFOceaniaCup pic.twitter.com/QHsuQktYlN— International RL (@IntlRL) March 12, 2019
The picture says it all.
♥️ this ?️from Saturdays @WheelchairRL launch it captures a lot of what is great about our sport! ♿#RugbyLeague
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— Mark Roughsedge (@Tuigamala11) March 11, 2019
What’s in the papers
A mischievous Warrington fan took advantage of the open press conference ahead of their game against Wigan to ask Warriors coach Adrian Lam about his playing days in Super League, and how he was allegedly fit under the salary cap. Read how it went down in the Warrington Guardian.
Castleford coach Daryl Powell says his forward Liam Watts has been the stand out for the Tigers so far this season, reports the Yorkshire Post.
“Bad Blood” is the tagline being used to promote this Friday’s big Grand Final repeat between Warrington and Wigan, and Wolves prop Mike Cooper says the match will live up to the billing in The Mirror.
Birthdays
Hooker turned TV phenomenon Wayne Godwin, who played for Castleford, Wigan, Hull, Bradford, Salford and Dewsbury during his career is 37 today.
Also celebrating: Fiji international and ex-Rochdale centre Ryan Millard (32); prop Paul Johnson (31); former Kangaroo, Queensland and Hull winger Matt Sing (44); Six-game full-back for Widnes in 2005 Brad Watts (39).
What’s on TV/Radio
The Final Hooter podcast by Love Rugby League’s Dave Parkinson and Adrian Jackson is now available to download.
The latest 5 Live Rugby League podcast is available to download now, presented by Dave Woods.
The Full Eighty Minutes podcast by Proper Sport is available to download now.
The Forty20 Rugby League podcast is available to download now.
The Total Rugby League Show is available to download now.
The Betfred League 1 podcast is available to listen now on the Our League channel.
Trivia
In 12 games as a Wigan player, Adrian Lam only tasted defeat to Warrington twice – including his only visit to the Halliwell Jones Stadium to date (34-18, May 2004)
