RL Today: Wigan respond to John Bateman NRL reports & Briscoe future
Wigan respond to John Bateman NRL reports
Wigan Warriors have responded to reports linking John Bateman to a return to the NRL. (Examiner Live)
Reports from Down Under suggested that England international Bateman could leave Wigan for a move to Australia with the Wests Tigers for 2023.
However, the Super League side have knocked back any reports and insist that Wests Tigers haven’t made any enquiries for the 28-year-old back-rower.
Tom Briscoe future
Leeds winger Tom Briscoe could be heading to Leigh for the 2023 campaign. (Yorkshire Evening Post)
Briscoe, 32, remains off-contract for next season. He joined Leeds in 2014 and is currently their second-longest-serving player behind Hull-bound Liam Sutcliffe.
Leigh currently sit at the the top of the Championship table and are favourites to win promotion to Super League.
Bradford star on Castleford radar
Castleford Tigers are set to sign Bradford Bulls youngster AJ Wallace. (Examiner Live)
The back-rower came through the academy system at Leeds before linking up with the Bulls ahead of the current campaign. He has made 14 appearances for the club, scoring four tries.
France international hit with major blow
France international and Catalans outside-back Arthur Romano could miss the rest of the season and the World Cup through injury.
The 24-year-old suffered an injury to his left knee during the club’s victory over Wakefield on Sunday. Scans have confirmed he suffered ligament and meniscal damage.
Takairangi hoping to play in World Cup
Hull KR utility Brad Takairangi is hoping to be back fit in time for the World Cup in October. (Mirror)
He could represent Cook Islands later this year while the 33-year-old has also opened up on the “biggest mistake” of his life.
Lachlan Ilias on representing Greece
South Sydney Rabbitohs rookie half-back Lachlan Ilias is set to represent his heritage with Greece at this year’s World Cup in England. (NRL.com)
“Playing for Greece will be one of my greatest football moments yet I think,” Ilias told NRL.com.
“I’m really looking forward to it, especially because my grandfather passed away a few weeks ago and he was born in Greece.”
Birthdays
Former England and Great Britain representative and current Dewsbury Rams player-coach Paul Sykes turns 41 today (August 11).
Also celebrating; Ex-Australia and New South Wales star Luke Lewis (39), France international Lambert Belmas (25), Leeds and England forward Mikolaj Oledzki (24), Brisbane Broncos outside-back Tesi Niu (21) and York youngster Myles Harrison (19).
Podcast: Liam Marshall on almost giving up on rugby league, England hopes & Peet’s Wigan transformation