Rugby League Today: Toronto record crowd, praise for rule change & Lam on Wigan future

James Gordon

A few technical gremlins have prevented Rugby League Today from appearing the past couple of weeks, but we’re back with a bang this Monday morning.

What’s on site

Castleford coach Daryl Powell praised the impact of the rule changes around the ruck despite their tough 6-4 defeat to Wigan on Saturday, a week on from the now infamous Michael Shenton incident at Catalans.

Speaking of Catalans, they slumped to yet another heavy away defeat as St Helens gained revenge for their reversal in Perpignan earlier in the season, but Dragons coach Steve McNamara says he is not concerned by their away form.

Life’s always better after a win, and Adrian Lam looks to be edging nearer to taking the Wigan job on a permanent basis. He gave an update on his future following that win over the Tigers.

After their bid to join League One was rejected, Manchester Rangers have withdrawn their team from the North West Men’s League after the club’s board abandoned its plans to go professional after seven years of trying to get in to the RFL ranks.

Former Huddersfield coach Rick Stone, a World Cup semi-finalist with Fiji in 2013, has been appointed as Lebanon coach and his first game is set to be against Fiji.

Expansion is the buzz word that never dies, and of the different ways to do it, Coventry are certainly doing their best to show that the organic approach is the best way forward. They’re feature in the latest expansionist blog.

RFL chief Ralph Rimmer caused a stir last week with his comments about swearing, but there was some good stuff in his statement too – including that they are looking to scrap the double header Easter weekend.

What’s on social

Toronto and Sunday night rugby league. A sure fire way of getting some backs up on social media. They posted what was not only a club record crowd, but a Championship record crowd as they beat Swinton in their first home game in Canada this season.

There’s life in the old boys yet…

M62 sport you say…

What’s in the papers

Super League must have its eyes wide open when it comes to trans-atlantic teams, says chief Robert Elstone. Quite the time for Toronto to be breaking the crowd record days after this story in The Mirror.

After the surprise departure of Richard Marshall, former Super League forward Simon Grix has thrown his hat in the ring for the Halifax coaching job, reports the Halifax Courier.

Players and staff affected by the troubles at Widnes earlier in the year are still exploring their legal options, according to The Sun.

Birthdays

St Helens and England centre Mark Percival, currently on the sidelines through injury, celebrates his 25th birthday today.

Also celebrating: Fiji international Sisi Waqa (33); ex-Wakefield back-rower Steve Southern (37); former Batley and Halifax favourite Ben Black (38); dual-code international and ex-London Bronco Craig Gower (41); Kiwi legend Dean Bell (57).

What’s on TV/radio

10.30pm – Super League Full Time – Sky Sports Action

11.45pm – Super League Show – BBC One (North)

Trivia

Toronto’s crowd against Swinton was a new Championship record attendance for a regular season game, beating the previous best of 9,181, set when Bradford played Leigh in 2015.

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