Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #200
Which Summer Bash game has been cancelled? What is the latest on Danny Brough’s injury? Where is Morgan Escare going? Find out in the gossip column.
Summer Bash curtain-raiser won’t go ahead
A proposed amateur fixture featuring a team from Blackpool to be played as a curtain-raiser for the Summer Bash at Bloomfield Road has been knocked on the head.
The Rugby Football League had plans to stage a Blackpool Stanley or Blackpool Scorpions game ahead of the Championship action to showcase rugby league talent in the borough.
Wakefield unsure on Brough injury
Wakefield don’t actually know what Danny Brough’s injury is and are unsure on the extent of it.
The former Scotland international picked up a knee injury in Wakefield’s 30-12 defeat at Hull KR in round one and has not played since. Wakefield are not sure on when Brough will be back, and are just monitoring the situation day by day.
England selection ruffles feathers
Shaun Wane picked his first England squad since becoming the national coach on Tuesday, and it is safe to say it has sparked controversy.
The former Wigan boss has seemed to pick the majority of his squad based on form and what he has seen so far in the Super League season. It’s no secret that Wane is a big fan of George Williams and Jonny Lomax, so that could well be England’s new half-back partnership.
Hull KR to honour Masoe’s contract
Hull KR have confirmed they will honour Mose Masoe’s contract until the end to support him and his family.
The Samoa international is contracted to the Robins until the end of the 2021 season, and club chairman Neil Hudgell says they will be honouring it until the end after Masoe suffered a career-ending injury in pre-season. Hudgell also confirmed the club will look for another forward to fill the void left by Masoe.
Flanagan happy again
Salford loose forward Mark Flanagan was happy to play last week – albeit in their 22-12 defeat to Wakefield.
The 32-year-old made only his second appearance of the season on Sunday afternoon, and it’s understood he was frustrated when he wasn’t getting selected by coach Ian Watson at the start of the season.
Escare back to Wakefield?
Wigan full-back Morgan Escare has been placed on the loan market, and he has been linked with a move back to Wakefield.
The Warriors are open to putting the France international on a one or two-month loan to another Super League club so he can get game-time rather than him playing in the reserves. Escare spent time on loan at Trinity last season and could be up for making the move back there where his good friend Romain Navarrete is currently playing.
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