RL Today: Child speaks out, Sky Sports pop-up channel & Hurrell keen for Leeds stay

A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.

What’s on site

Brad Takairangi aims to make waves with Cook Islands at World Cup.

Dom Young to represent Jamaica at the World Cup.

Warrington’s Riley Dean joins York on loan as Morgan Smith suffers season-ending injury.

York coach James Ford on “best pre-season yet” and their recruitment.

Six scrum-halves to watch in NRL in 2021.

What’s in the papers

Super League decision over clubs’ return to home stadiums revealed, reports Hull Live.

NRL recruit Brad Takairangi hopes to help Hull KR and Cook Islands rise in 2021, reports The Yorkshire Post.

Super League referee James Child opens up on being gay and reveals vile homophobic abuse, reports the Mirror.

Konrad Hurrell keen to earn new Leeds contract – Tongan star’s deal ends this year but he hopes to stay on, reports Yorkshire Evening Post.

Why John Bateman expects Super League’s start to be better than ever, reports Wigan Today.

What’s on social

Sky Sports have launched a pop-up rugby league channel ahead of the 2021 season.

🚨𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆🚨

𝙍𝙪𝙜𝙗𝙮 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙠𝙮 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨!

We will be showing wall-to-wall #RugbyLeague on Sky Sports – 24 hours a day between 22nd-26th March!🙌🏉

#⃣ #RugbyLeagueTakeover

— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) February 25, 2021

How good is this?!

The Kaiviti Silktails sing a beautiful hymn from their balconies at a hotel in Sydney during their 14 days in quarantine. 🙌#9WWOS #Rugby #FijiLeague #NRL pic.twitter.com/Nds0CuBYOw

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 25, 2021

Respect to referee James Child for telling his story.

🗣️ "If this helps educate others, that's great".

He's one of the sport's top officials.

And now, Super League referee James Child has become the most high-profile man in rugby league to open up about the fact he's gay.

🎧 https://t.co/hwcjbLBHDt@TheRFL | @BBCSport | 🌈 pic.twitter.com/KIq4yg9wbI

— Jack Murley (@jack_murley) February 25, 2021

What’s on TV/Radio

Games from the French Elite Championship are being streamed live every weekend.

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

Former Fiji, Warrington and Toronto prop Ashton Sims turns 36 today.

Also celebrating; former Australia international Mark Carroll (54) and Samoa international Michael Chee-Kam (29).

Trivia

The highest scoring game with no tries in the Super League era came in 2007, when Salford beat Harlequins 5-2.

Rugby League Nostalgia is here! Get involved with Love Rugby League’s new group on Facebook to share all your rugby league nostalgia and celebrate the rich heritage of our sport.