Rugby League Today: Catalans may relocate, off-contract deadline extended & Super League to realign with RFL?
A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.
What’s on site
France prime minister Edouard Philippe has confirmed the country has banned all sporting events – including behind closed doors – until September.
We’ve looked at six of the best back-rowers in the NRL right now. Spoiler alert: John Bateman is in there.
Leeds fan and journalist Rob Conlon is our latest guest on My Set of Six. He talks Danny McGuire, that Ryan Hall try and Great Britain beating Australia in Sydney.
The NRL will recommence as a 20 round competition on May 28, with the Grand Final being played on October 25. State of Origin will be played after the season.
Hollywood actor and Leeds superfan Matt Lewis believes Toronto Wolfpack could propel rugby league to the next level.
What’s in the papers
RFL defends decision to lower minimum Super League wage below £15k-a-year for 2020, reports the Mirror.
Catalans may move to England to beat French ban if Super League restarts, reports The Guardian.
St Helens owner Eamonn McManus believes Super League may have to ‘realign’ with RFL, reports The Sun.
Super League draw up behind closed doors proposal to keep clubs financially alive, reports Hull Live.
Clubs get extra time to decide on off-contract players, reports Wigan Today.
What’s on social
Keegan Hirst has made his issues heard.
What RL says-We care about our players current and future mental/physical welfare
What RL does- Slashes wages of young players, zero consultation with players, people told to train on furlough, tells players 3 games a week isn’t an issue, threatens non-compliance with redundancy
— Keegan Hirst (@KeeganHirst) April 28, 2020
Interesting point made by Liam Watts on the RFL’s decision to scrap the £15k rule…
Means clubs can play the kids if needed to help fulfil fixtures. If the clubs have to up every kids salary from their current one to £15k then it will put clubs over the salary cap which means clubs wouldn’t do it. It gives them a chance to play super league this way.
— Liam Watts (@WATTSY7890) April 28, 2020
Players mic’d up is always a good watch.
😅 "Too tense for me, this!"
🔊 When @gazellis12 got mic'd up for @BBCSport in @hullfcofficial's 2016 Challenge Cup semi-final win…
🎞️ #RugbyLeagueJukebox pic.twitter.com/RgLJkcWL92
— Rugby Football League (at 🏠) (@TheRFL) April 28, 2020
What’s on TV/Radio
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.
Super League’s Out Of Your League podcast is back, featuring Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan.
Sky Sports’ Golden Point podcast is available to download now.
Podcast: The Final Hooter #4 – featuring rugby league royalty Ellery Hanley.
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 and Wigan legend Dean Bell turns 58 today.
Also celebrating; St Helens centre Mark Percival (26), Castleford full-back Calum Turner (21) and Huddersfield centre Sam Hewitt (21).
Trivia
Neil Fox holds the record for most points in a rugby league career with 6,220 (358t, 2,575g, 4dg) points scored during his time at Wakefield, Bradford Northern, Hull KR, York, Bramley and Huddersfield between 1955-1980.
Watch our Last Tackle podcast, featuring a guest, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on YouTube.