Rugby League Today: Bradford sign Murphy, Saints’ priorities & Toronto set for Super League return?

A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.

What’s on site

Castleford full-back Gareth O’Brien says he’s hoping to impress his team-mates and is aiming for Grand Final success with his new club.

The RFL and Super League are hopeful of welcoming fans back to Super League at the end of September, despite being left out of the latest list of elite sport pilot events.

The 21-man squads for this Saturday’s Super League fixtures have been announced (Wigan v Castleford & Leeds v Salford).

Catalans home game against Leeds, scheduled for Monday, September 7, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak within the Dragons camp.

Castleford’s new recruit Gareth O’Brien says he is gaining a lot of confidence under Tigers coach Daryl Powell.

What’s in the papers

Tony Smith reveals Toronto Wolfpack on brink of Super League return, reports Hull Live.

Bradford sign Huddersfield’s Aaron Murphy on two-year deal, reports The Telegraph & Argus.

Kristian Woolf lists Saints’ priorities as club deals with effects of coronavirus, reports St Helens Star.

Huddersfield duo can do the job, insists Simon Woolford, reports The Yorkshire Post.

St Helens coach Kristian Woolf opposes plans to increase Super League substitutions, reports the Mirror.

What’s on social

Make sure you give our latest vodcast a watch!

❓ Fans to return
🏆 Super League contenders
🇨🇦 Ottawa Aces chat@jdgsport and @DrewDarbyshire discuss all the latest… #rugbyleague https://t.co/oOhBkSdSxc

— Love Rugby League (@loverugbyleague) August 27, 2020

Jonathan Davies was a real talent.

📅 #OnThisDay in 1990, @JiffyRugby scored a hat-trick as @WidnesRL beat @WiganWarriorsRL 24-8 in the Charity Shield at @SwansOfficial's Vetch Field.

👇 Here is one of his efforts from that day…

🏉 #RFL125 pic.twitter.com/EycfR6kfz7

— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) August 27, 2020

This is a quality effort…

7 & 6 link up for a beauty 🤩#NRLEelsSouths#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/fwRWo0a5Sl

— NRL (@NRL) August 27, 2020

What’s on TV/Radio

NRL Tonight – Watch NRL (7:30am)

LIVE NRL: St George Illawarra Dragons v Gold Coast Titans (9am) – Watch NRL

LIVE NRL: Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos (10:55am) – Watch NRL

Podcast: The Final Hooter #9 – Two rounds of Super League, Hull, Salford and Andy Grundy.

Former Super League and NRL forward Keith Mason is this week’s guest on The Last Tackle. He talks about his switch to the NRL at 20 as well as his new rugby comic – Rugby Blood.

Sky Sports’ Golden Point podcast is available to download now.

The latest Forty20 LIVE podcast is out now.

The latest 5 Live Rugby League Podcast is out now, hosted by Dave Woods.

Birthdays

New Zealand legend Simon Mannering turns 34 today.

Also celebrating; former Rochdale half-back Paul Crook (34), Jamaica international Alex Brown (33) and Featherstone’s Josh Hardcastle (28).

Trivia

Leeds hold the record for most consecutive Grand Final wins, with three across the 2007, 2008 and 2009 seasons.

Listen to The Final Hooter podcast, featuring exclusive interviews, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on Apple Podcasts.