RL Today: Woolf linked with NRL, Mulhern future & Johnstone latest

Drew Darbyshire
Kristian Woolf

St Helens head coach Kristian Woolf

St Helens coach Kristian Woolf has been linked with a current head coaching vacancy in the NRL, whilst Wakefield say they want to retain Tom Johnstone.

Woolf linked with NRL

St Helens coach Kristian Woolf has been linked as a potential candidate to replace Trent Barrett, who stood down from his role as Canterbury Bulldogs head coach with immediate effect. (Fox Sports)

It was only a matter of time before Woolf would be linked with an NRL job. He’s won back-to-back Super League titles with Saints as well as a Challenge Cup. He also spearheaded Tonga’s meteoric rise on the international scene. Woolf’s contract with Saints is due to expire at the end of the season.

CHAMPION: Jamie Soward tips Kristian Woolf to be a successful NRL head coach in the future

Fev eye Super League prop

Championship league leaders Featherstone are interesting in signing Hull prop Josh Bowden. (Hull Live)

The 30-year-old has made almost 200 appearances for Hull since making his first team debut in 2012. However, he has fallen down the pecking order in Brett Hodgson’s side, playing just four league games.

Roby is superman

James Roby showed just why he has made more than 500 appearances for hometown club St Helens on Friday night.

He dislocated his finger in a tackle, had it popped back in straight away and carried on playing!

Rugby league meets Love Island

Castleford Tigers forward Jacques O’Neill is set to enter this year’s serious of hit ITV show Love Island. (Yorkshire Live)

The 29-year-old Cumbrian has made 29 first team appearances for the Tigers since making his first team debut for the club in 2019. He is set to feature in the 2022 Love Island, according to Yorkshire Live.

Wakefield want to keep Johnstone

Wakefield coach Willie Poching says the club will do their best to retain star winger Tom Johnstone. (Yorkshire Evening Post)

The England World Cup hopeful is out of contract at the end of the current season. Catalans Dragons have already confirmed their interest in him. Poching told the YEP: “We will try our best. He has been a fantastic player for our club and a fantastic servant and I’d definitely like to keep him.”

Mulhern future

Warrington prop Robbie Mulhern is out of contract at the end of the season, but he has admitted that he would like to stay beyond this year. (Warrington Guardian)

Mulhern told Warrington Guardian: “I would like to stay. I really get on with the lads, it’s a great group and I love living round here too.”

FULL LIST: Every Super League player out of contract at end of 2022

Birthdays

Former rugby league star turned Sky Sports pundit Phil Clarke turns 51 today (May 16).

Also celebrating; former Ireland international Michael Withers (46), Huddersfield winger Jermaine McGillvary (34) and ex-Wakefield forward Mikey Sio (29).

Trivia

England full-back Sam Tomkins made his 350th career appearance in Catalans Dragons’ 40-8 win over Warrington on Saturday night.

PODCAST: James Graham on World Cup, Saints farewell and life after league

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