Rugby League Advent #14 – League leaders, video debate & Koukash at Widnes?

James Gordon

Photo courtesy of Richard Long

15 – Number of League Leaders’ Shields won by St Helens, Wigan and Leeds

Reigning minor premiers St Helens have finished top of Super League eight times since its inception, double the next best team in Wigan with four. Leeds, the most successful team at Grand Finals, have finished top three times.

That means there are only eight seasons where one of those three haven’t finished top – Bradford (4), Warrington (2), Huddersfield and Castleford.

What’s on site

Catalans’ new signing Matt Whitley has flown more than 40,000 miles this year – taking in Toronto, Toulouse, Perpignan and Papua New Guinea on a true rugby league world tour.

Rugby league players in Greece are being forced to play in the middle of the night amidst threats of being arrested, just for playing the game. Check out the latest expansionist blog.

Even though it’s the off-season, there’s plenty to debate, and your favourite Love Rugby League trio have got together to debate the Toronto Challenge Cup fiasco, Tony Adams’ appointment as RFL president and the recent BARLA tour of Fiji.

There’s quite a growing presence of former players in the backroom staff at Leeds, and Jamie Peacock has become the latest, taking on a commercial role.

Speaking of Peacock, he is one of the players featured in the latest 13 years of Love Rugby League story, which looks at players that have had close links with the site over the years.

What’s on social

Luke Backhouse has been strongly linked with a takeover of Widnes, and could he be getting a certain Marwan Koukash involved?

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – rugby league does not make enough of its proud history and nostalgia. Check out this fascinating find.

Andy Dakin is worth a follow for those wanting a trip down memory lane – sure there’ll be a few Salford fans who’d love to go back here.

What’s in the papers

The Mirror’s Gareth Walker has published a fascinating three-part interview with Super League chief executive Robert Elstone.

Highly-rated youngster Danny Walker has spoke to the Warrington Guardian about making the move to his hometown club.

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