Rugby League Today: Houghton unsure on new contract, Flower’s new gig & rugby stars help NHS
A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.
What’s on site
The NRL has been given the go ahead from the government to restart play on May 28.
The Rugby Football League has confirmed the cancellation of the recently re-launched Reserves League for 2020.
In our latest power rankings feature, we take a look at the top six stand-offs in the NRL right now. Spoiler alert: Australia international Jack Wighton is on the list.
Castleford fan Jack Westmoreland is our latest guest on My Set of Six. He talks Brad Davis, The Willows and The Battle of Belle Vue.
RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer remains confident that the Challenge Cup final and Super League Grand Final will be played this year.
What’s in the papers
Bakery-owning rugby stars keeping staff in jobs and helping NHS with bread supply, reports the Mirror.
Anthony Walker to play again after overcoming potentially fatal brain condition, reports The Sun.
Kruise Leeming steps up training for Leeds return, reports Yorkshire Evening Post.
Danny Houghton in the dark over his Hull FC future, reports Hull Live.
Ben Flower’s new job during lockdown, reports Wigan Today.
What’s on social
Good work from Papua New Guinea coach Michael Marum.
The @PNGRFL_Official HP team in East New Britain, led by our Head Coach Michael Marum, have been out helping their surrounding community in whatever way they can. This week, they utilized their #rugbyleague network to gather donations and distribute 200 bags of rice🙏 #PNG pic.twitter.com/AfcoujNUjs
— PNG Kumuls (@PNGKumulsRL) April 23, 2020
Old school biff.
Remember this one from 2011? Glenn Stewart and Adam Blair had no intention of just leaving the field after being sin-binned!#rugbyleague pic.twitter.com/qOmwJk1fgB
— The Tryline (@TrylineUK) April 15, 2020
Cheeky but clever!
👀Who remembers this escapade from @hullfcofficial's Lee Jackson back in 2002?🏉
📽️We pick out our most controversial moments in #SuperLeague history!
See which other on the pitch incidents made the cut below!
👇👇👇 https://t.co/vDVXzAMt0J pic.twitter.com/64hwLq1lDV
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) April 22, 2020
What’s on TV/Radio
Former Super League and NRL forward Keith Mason is this week’s guest on The Last Tackle. He talks about his switch to the NRL at 20 as well as his new rugby comic – Rugby Blood.
Super League’s Out Of Your League podcast is back, featuring Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan.
Sky Sports’ Golden Point podcast is available to download now.
Podcast: The Final Hooter #4 – featuring rugby league royalty Ellery Hanley.
The latest Forty20 LIVE podcast is out now.
The latest 5 Live Rugby League Podcast is out now, hosted by Dave Woods.
Birthdays
Parramatta assistant coach David Kidwell turns 43 today.
Also celebrating; ex-Scotland international Ian Henderson (37), Australia and Italy international Paul Vaughan (29) and Sheffield full-back Josh Guzdek (25).
Trivia
Lyn Hallett holds the record for most drop goals kicked in a rugby league season, having kicked 29 field goals for Cardiff City in the 1983-84 campaign.
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