RL Today: Salford stadium latest & Championship chairman hits out at IMG proposals

Josh McAllister
Salford Red Devils, AJ Bell Stadium. SWPix

Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

Salford stadium latest

Salford city’s bid to become the sole owner of the AJ Bell Stadium goes in front of the authority’s cabinet next week. (Manchester Evening News)

The stadium is currently home to Salford Red Devils and Sale Sharks, with ownership currently shared equally between the city council and Peel Land and Property Ltd.

Championship chairman hits out at IMG proposals

Batley Bulldogs chairman Kevin Nicholas believes the new IMG’s new grading proposals are biased towards existing Super League clubs. (Yorkshire Live)

IMG presented to clubs their recommended grading criteria on Thursday in Huddersfield, with five key areas to be used through their assessment process.

Australia star signs long-term NRL deal

Australia international Patrick Carrigan has signed a new contract extension with NRL club Brisbane Broncos.

The new deal extends his contract until at least the end of the 2028 season.

Carrigan, 25, made his NRL debut with the club back in 2019 in Round Five against the Wests Tigers. He has since made 61 appearances in the competition. He also won the World Cup with Australia at the delayed 2021 campaign.

Peet visits fan in hospital

A touch of class from Wigan boss Matt Peet, who recently visited an injured Hindley Under-19s player in hospital. The amateur club shared the moment on social media.

Tee Ritson wins award from Super League debut

Tee Ritson has won Super League’s first try of the month following his debut performance over Castleford in Round Two.

Lebanon Collegiate Championship returns

Lebanon’s Collegiate Rugby League Championship (CRL) returns after an extended break due to the pandemic and domestic issues within the nation. The last CRL game was played on 28 February 2020, and the 2023 Championship will kick-off today (Thursday) at 6pm with a repeat of the single CRL 2020 match, between American University of Beirut (AUB) and University of Balamand (UOB) .

The 2023 Championship will consist of two round-robins and a Grand Final, in addition to a CRL 9s circuit of two rounds.  The competing varsity teams include AUB, UOB, Notre Dame University and Louaize (NDU), while Beirut Arab University will also participate in the 9s.

Birthdays

Former Hull KR, Bradford, Salford, Featherstone and current Sheffield outside-back Kris Welham turns 36 today (March 10).

Also celebrating: Ex-NRL star Josh Hoffman (35), Hull KR’s Jez Litten (25) and new Melbourne recruit Joe Chan (21).

Trivia

Castleford prop Suaia Matagi will make his 200th career appearance if he plays against Huddersfield tomorrow.

OPINION: Trust the process: Only those on the inside can judge on category grading

Batley Bulldogs Brisbane Broncos