RL Today: Bentley earns huge praise, Jones future & ‘Wigan can dominate’

A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.

What’s on site

St Helens coach Kristian Woolf hailed Jack Welsby as a future England international after he made the winning contribution in a dramatic 8-4 Super League Grand Final victory against Wigan.

Leeds captain Stevie Ward says the lasting effects of two concussions have left him having to consider his options for the future.

St Helens prop Alex Walmsley will undergo knee surgery after helping his side be crowned Super League champions.

Newcastle Thunder have signed former Warrington and Widnes forward Sam Wilde for the 2021 season.

Newcastle Thunder have appointed Eamon O’Carroll as their new head coach on a two-year deal.

What’s in the papers

Wigan can dominate Super League, predicts Adrian Lam, reports Wigan Today.

Josh Jones set to leave Hull after struggling to settle, reports Hull Live.

No wonder Kristian Woolf wants to keep James Bentley at Saints for a long time, reports St Helens Star.

Grand Final like no other is only part of Super League’s dramatic 2020 story, reports The Guardian.

St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus – ‘Game showed what a remarkable sport rugby league is’, reports St Helens Reporter.

What’s on social

James Buckley has backed Featherstone’s bid for Super League!

👍| Jay is a flatcapper!

🙌| Thanks to #TheInbetweeners star @James_Buckley for his message of support to Rovers' @SuperLeague bid!#UTR | #RoversReady pic.twitter.com/MIlO0GjDI8

— Featherstone Rovers (@FevRoversRLFC) November 29, 2020

What a game.

WHAT HAVE WE JUST SEEN 🤯

WELSBY HAS WON IT FOR SAINTS 😱#SuperLeague #GrandFinal pic.twitter.com/mch7GFoi5H

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) November 27, 2020

A rivalry with respect…

Rugby League. 👏#GrandFinal #WWRL pic.twitter.com/nK6g23GWyP

— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) November 29, 2020

What’s on TV/Radio

Podcast: The Final Hooter 2020 #14 – Grand Final preview, Sean O’Loughlin & more.

Sky Sports’ Golden Point podcast is available to download now.

The latest Forty20 LIVE podcast is out now.

The latest 5 Live Rugby League Podcast is out now, hosted by Dave Woods.

Birthdays

St Helens’ Tongan prop Agnatius Paasi turns 29 today.

Also celebrating; Wigan centre Chris Hankinson (27), France international Ugo Perez (26) and Sheffield forward Olly Davies (25).

Trivia

St Helens centre Jack Welsby was the youngest player on the pitch when he scored the match winning try in the Grand Final at just 19 years of age.