Rugby League Today: Barba exit confirmed, Hearn questions RL, Rochdale appoint Forster

Drew Darbyshire

Photo courtesy of Richard Long

We have 18 new articles on site right now. 

What’s on site

St Helens have confirmed that Ben Barba will join North Queensland Cowboys at the end of the season.

Barry Hearn asks: Has rugby league peaked?

Toronto or Toulouse can become Super League’s first new face for 10 years.

The latest team of the week has been revealed. There are four St Helens players included.

Rochdale have appointed Carl Forster as head coach ahead of the 2019 season.

The 2018 Under-19s Academy Grand Final between Wigan and Leeds will take place at the DW Stadium on Friday, 5:30pm kick-off.

Jackson Hastings and Logan Tomkins are set to return for Salford on Thursday, while Toulouse have named an unchanged side. The 19-man squads have been announced.

As Russia prepare to take on Spain and Serbia early next month in European Championship B, Russian Federation of Clubs president Denis Korolev is predicting that sport will receive a significant boost.

Featherstone have signed young forward Spencer Darley from Leeds for the 2019 season.

Huddersfield youngster Sam Wood will join Batley on loan for the 2019 season.

As they prepare to face long-time rivals Russia together with Spain in European Championship B, Serbia expect interest in the sport to peak.

A total of 13 match officials and eight coaches have taken part in ‘professional placements’ activities as part of the EU-backed Training and Education Portal project.

Dewsbury coach Neil Kelly will leave the Rams at the end of the season due to personal reasons.

The Spanish Rugby League Federation have fostered a close relationship with football in the Valencia region.

Catalans star David Mead has been named in Papua New Guinea’s squad to face the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII this autumn.

Leeds front-rower Brad Singleton is facing a two-match ban after receiving a Grade B charge from the match review panel.

Former England footballer Tony Adams spent time with the Wigan squad on Monday as part of the club’s welfare programme.

What’s in the papers

St Helens full-back Ben Barba vows to finish on a high after confirming return to Australia, report the Mirror.

Injured Cooper Cronk faces emotional week, report The Guardian.

Tony Adams speaks about personal battles to Wigan stars, report Wigan Today.

Warrington to make team changes against Wakefield, report Warrington Guardian.

Lee Radford continuing to learn at rapid rate five years into Hull FC job, report Hull Daily Mail.

Paul Cooke gives his prediction on who will survive the Super League Qualifiers, report Hull Daily Mail.

Leeds future is looking great insists award-winner Richie Myler, report Yorkshire Evening Post.

Daryl Powell aiming to get Castleford tuned in ahead of semi-final test, report Yorkshire Evening Post.

What’s on social

Chris Hill is itching to get to Old Trafford this year!

Jackson Hastings is back for Salford this weekend!

What a tackle!

Billy Slater will play in the NRL Grand Final.

What’s on TV/Radio

The latest Super League Pod is available to download now, in association with Love Rugby League.

The latest ‘Sport at Six’ podcast by BBC Radio Manchester’s Jack Dearden and Trevor Hunt is available to download now.

The latest Rugby League show on Proper Sport is available to download now.

The latest Whippets and Flat Caps podcast is available to download now, presented by Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan.

The latest 5 Live Rugby League podcast is available to download now, presented by Dave Woods.

The Final Hooter podcast by Love Rugby League’s Dave Parkinson and Adrian Jackson is now available to download.