Paper Talk: Barba move, ball change, England future coach
The newspapers are packed with exclusives this week.
Bennett to sign new England deal and Powell to take over
Wayne Bennett is set to sign a new two-year deal with England Rugby League and then current Castleford Tigers boss Daryl Powell will take over from 2020 onwards, suggest League Express. The newspaper report that Powell has been offered a four-year deal with the national team, spending the first two years as Bennett’s assistant before taking over ahead of the 2021 World Cup.
RLPA calling for ball changes
The Ruby League Players Association are calling for the Rugby Football League to make adjustments to the Rhino rugby balls, report the League Weekly. The balls have come under a lot of criticism from players, coaches and fans alike who have said that they are difficult to deal with in testing conditions. Former England star Gareth Carvell told League Weekly: “I think it contributes to five or six extra knock-ons per game.”
Sharks are circling Barba
Cronulla Sharks head coach Shane Flanagan has publicly declared his interest to bring St Helens star Ben Barba back to the club, claim League Weekly. Flanagan said: “From my perspective and most of the people at the club, we’d like to think that Benny would want to come back to our club. When that is, I’m not sure. He’s got a couple-year deal at St Helens. If it does materialise, from our perspective, we’d like to see him back.”
Clubb wants more Super League games on the road
Wigan star Tony Clubb has told League Express that he wants the Warriors and Super League to take more games on the road following their historic clash with Hull FC in Wollongong on Saturday. He told League Express: “I’d definitely be up for doing it again. I’m a big fan of keeping it in England as well and I’d like to go up to Cumbria, do those sorts of things.”
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