Rugby League Today: Cooper wants NRL gig, Lineham contracts coronavirus & £20m plea
A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.
What’s on site
Leeds captain Stevie Ward would have concerns over player welfare if clubs were asked to play multiple games a week in a bid to complete the Super League season.
It is almost certain that there won’t be any rugby league matches held in France until at least mid-July.
Our latest in depth focuses on Clive Sullivan: Great Britain’s first black captain who broke down barriers.
Wigan fan and Rochdale Hornets media manager Josh McAllister is the latest guest on My Set of Six. He talks Benji Marshall, England’s shock defeat to Italy and that Sean O’Loughlin pass.
Leeds have made a fine gesture by donating £20,000 to Hull KR and the RFL Benevolent Fund to support Mose Masoe.
What’s in the papers
Rugby league’s value to community could help secure £20m government bail-out, reports The Sun.
Warrington winger Tom Lineham says he felt like he had been ‘hit by a bus’ after contracting coronavirus, reports Warrington Guardian.
Huddersfield half-back Aidan Sezer using shutdown time to fine-tune for game’s return, reports The Yorkshire Post.
Lee Jackson says he regretted his decision not to stay at Leeds, reports Yorkshire Evening Post.
Australia rugby union star Quade Cooper says playing in the NRL has been a lifelong dream of his, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.
What’s on social
James Gordon has picked his all-time Widnes 17…
Since you asked, @WidnesRL, here's my modern era 1-17 selection.
Some tough ones in there – Spruce, Galea, Nanyn, Blanch, Wilkes, Cantillon, Phelps, Isa, Dean, Hansen were on my list of maybes.
I'll nominate @lucy3005 @nicwid & @ASViking #AClubLikeNoOther🖤 pic.twitter.com/OYDUGBZvzj
— James Gordon (@jdgsport) April 14, 2020
I bet Liam Marshall woke up with a headache the next day!
On This Day: 14.4.2017
Kyle Amor with an early red card and @WiganWarriorsRL defeat the disadvantaged Saints #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/I6J0qARbhd
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 14, 2020
There are a number of beautiful Bradford jerseys right here…
A walk down Bradford Bulls Jersey Memory Lane #bradfordbulls #rugbyleague #bradford pic.twitter.com/Ry9ascoyg3
— Rugby League Designs (@RugbyDesigns) April 14, 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
Former Australia and Tonga international Willie Mason turns 40 today.
Also celebrating; Batley hooker Shaun Lunt (33), St Helens centre Josh Simm (20) and Batley back-rower Dane Manning (31).
Trivia
Brian Bevan holds the record for most tries in a career, having scored a staggering 796 tries for Warrington and Blackpool Borough between 1945-64.
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