Rugby League Today: O’Loughlin injury update, Hull and Saints to allow rainbow flag protests & beast mode
A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.
What’s on site
The Championship round-up is on site. Leigh nil York, Featherstone edge Bradford and London won away at Widnes.
The Rugby League Weekender has gone down a storm on social media. We’ve included four talking points from the weekend and listed every result.
Jonny Lomax pulled the strings as St Helens outscored Hull FC by five tries to three to win 32-18 against early Super League pacesetters.
Wakefield scored two tries in the last 10 minutes to get off the mark in Super League with an 18-8 win over Warrington in the mud at Belle Vue.
A Castleford fan in Perpignan claims she told not to wave a rainbow flag during Israel Folau’s debut game for Catalans.
What’s in the papers
Israel Folau wouldn’t have got contract in any other sport – its sad Super League’s taken him on, says Jamie Peacock in his column for the Mirror.
St Helens and Hull FC to allow rainbow flag protests over Israel Folau, report The Guardian.
Wigan captain Sean O’Loughlin could be sidelined for between two and four weeks as he recovers from an eye injury, report Wigan Today.
Hull FC face more injury and suspension worries ahead of trip to Wigan, report Hull Live.
Israel Folau scores try with his first touch as Catalans probe claims rainbow flag in the crowd was forcibly removed, report The Sun.
What’s on social
What a hit from Joe Wardle.
? BIG HIT ALERT ?
Joe Wardle ?? @Giantsrl #SuperLeague #WePlayLeague pic.twitter.com/kSd7GIprUC
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 14, 2020
Israel Folau scored six minutes in to his Catalans debut.
Premier match, premier ballon, premier essai.
Welcome Izzy ?#Dragons ? pic.twitter.com/uquPX25Z7h— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) February 15, 2020
Jason Taumalolo is an absolute beast!
BEASTMODE ?#NRL9s pic.twitter.com/8pQtO3IcMM
— NRL (@NRL) February 16, 2020
What’s on TV/Radio
Super League Show – BBC One (11:50pm)
League 1 club chairman Andy Mazey on funding, player pool & community links. The third episode of The Last Tackle is out now.
Super League’s Out Of Your League podcast is back, featuring Warrington centre Anthony Gelling.
Sky Sports’ Golden Point podcast is back, featuring St Helens prop Kyle Amor.
Betfred have launched a magazine show called The Last Tackle on YouTube, hosted by Mark Pearson.
Tanya Arnold hosts the first Super League Show of 2020.
Podcast: The Final Hooter 2020 #2 – Super League season launch.
The latest Forty20 LIVE podcast is out now.
The latest 5 Live Rugby League Podcast is out now, hosted by Dave Woods.
The latest Total Rugby League Show is available to download now, hosted by Ben Hughes.
The In Touch Show is out now by Betfred.
Birthdays
Rochdale prop Sam Hopkins turns 30 today.
Also celebrating; Fiji international Marcelo Montoya (24), former Wales international Aled James (38) and ex-Huddersfield back-rower Tom Symonds (31).
Trivia
The biggest League Leaders’ Shield winning margin came in 2019 when St Helens finished the season 16 points above second-placed Wigan.
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