Toulouse star set to leave club
Toulouse full-back Mark Kheirallah could leave the club before the 2022 season starts. (Yorkshire Live)
Rugby League Live has revealed that Kheirallah has had a fall-out with the club following a dispute and has not been seen for a number of days. They also report that four players could be set to leave due to the country’s new vaccination rules.
Duo face lengthy bans
Castleford’s James Clare and York’s Liam Harris could face up to a five-game ban following a pre-season friendly. (Yorkshire Post)
The pair have been charged with a Grade D punching in their pre-season friendly over the weekend. It could result in a five-game ban.
Castleford only have one more friendly – at Doncaster on Sunday – before their Super League opener against Salford.
James Clare and Liam Harris are facing 3-5 match bans… for this 😬
Both have been charged with ‘Grade D’ punching. pic.twitter.com/NIvrFovgwz
— Matthew Shaw (@M_Shaw1) January 20, 2022
Fantasy Rugby League now open!
Love Rugby League’s Fantasy Rugby League game is now live for the 2022 season.
The Super League game is now open for you to make your team choice, with the Championship game set to go live later this week.
Blake Austin on Warrington exit
Blake Austin has reflected on his exit from Warrington. (The Yorkshire Post)
Austin made the move to Leeds during the off-season. The Wolves brought in England half-back George Williams mid-way through last season, ultimately pushing out Austin.
Chris Chester relishing Leigh role
Chris Chester says he is feeling refreshed and ready for his new role at Leigh. (Manchester Evening News)
The former Wakefield coach is the new head of rugby at the Centurions and will work with Adrian Lam in 2022.
Batley out to maintain place among Championship top dogs
Batley are aiming to go one better than they did in 2021 and finish even higher in the Championship league table, according to captain James Brown.
He said: “We want to be one step ahead than we were last year, hopefully we can get second or third. We want to be competitive.”
Birthdays
Former Scotland international Richie Hawkyard celebrates his 36th birthday today (January 21).
Also celebrating: Former Australia utility Brett Mullins (50), ex-hooker Andy Speak (42), Jamaica representative Wayne Reittie (34), Castleford centre Alex Sutcliffe (23).
Trivia
Scrums are back for the first time since July 2020!
READ MORE: Bradford captain on leader Dec Patton, Jordan Lilley blow & play-off goal
I personally don’t think Toulouse potentially losing Kheirallah is a disaster. I would not “bash” a player and I am not ignoring how well he may have done in the Championship etc for a ten year period, and how good he would be compared to the average person on the street, but he is 31 and has essentially no top tier career, with basically one game in the NRL. I know lower level league in Australia is a competitive level, but I don’t think it is a crisis for Toulouse.
Isn’t Ryan Hampshire still available? He could be a comfortably competent full back for them.
Totally agree about KILLER Kheirallah, he is just an above average player who has proven in his youth he cannot handle the big boy league. Toulouse can certainly do better than this ant vaxer.