Rugby League Today: Challenge Cup thoughts, Saints ask RFL for answers & paper talk
What’s on site
After the RFL rubber stamped their move to Dewsbury for 2020, Bradford could be in a new stadium within two years, according to the latest Paper Talk.
A Wembley Challenge Cup final is the jewel in rugby league’s crown – some thoughts on the Challenge Cup final in this week’s editor’s column.
Double Challenge Cup winner Gareth Ellis has blasted the decision to force winners Warrington to return to Super League action as early as this Thursday, when they travel to Salford live on Sky.
Here are some of the best fan photos from our snappers at Wembley on Saturday.
In light of Matty Smith’s move to Warrington, we’ve listed the other 36 players to have played for five or more clubs in Super League history.
Hull-bound hooker Jordan Johnstone has played his last game for Widnes, after being stretchered off during the 1895 Cup final defeat to Sheffield at Wembley.
Russia have been withdrawn from qualifying for the 2021 World Cup, and will be replaced by Serbia, who they beat in the previous phase.
What’s on social
Plenty of Challenge Cup chatter, good and bad.
What’s happened to rugby league? when I was a youngster, it was huge, even being a footy fan from Liverpool. Challenge cup final used to be a massive occasion. Passed without much comment yesterday. ??♂️
— ?Chris Fontaine◼️ (@cjhayden82) August 26, 2019
As I say, #rugbyleague needs to market its prestige events at people who can afford more than scampi & chips in the local working man’s club. Reality is that life has moved on. Lots of people have disposable income & RL needs to chase them, not the audience of the 1950s
— Brian Davies (@BrianDavies12) August 26, 2019
Easter double header to be scrapped?
? | Betfred Championship News
It is set to be confirmed this week that clubs have voted in favour of scrapping two games over the Easter period starting from next season (2020) with Super League also set to follow suite…. a good move ?? pic.twitter.com/8tQovBqmOX
— Halifax RLFC Supporters Club (@HalifaxRLFCFAX1) August 26, 2019
What’s in the papers
St Helens have made formal contact with the RFL over Robert Hicks’ decision not to refer Morgan Knowles “try” to the video referee in Saturday’s Challenge Cup final defeat to Warrington, reports St Helens Star.
Warrington fans turned out in their thousands to welcome their victorious heroes back to the town with an open top parade ending at the town hall, as reported by the Warrington Guardian.
Relegation haunted Hull KR have signed Toronto’s former Hull FC winger Nick Rawsthorne for 2020, according to Hull Live.
Birthdays
Former Widnes full-back Rhys Hanbury, who left the Vikings after their relegation last season, turns 34 today.
Also celebrating: Brother of Kiwi captain Dallin, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (28);
Trivia
The 2019 Challenge Cup final was the worst attended final involving two English teams since 1998.