Rugby League Today: Cup draw, byes & Sonny Bill Williams return reaction

James Gordon

What’s on site

Hull KR, Leeds, Salford, St Helens, Warrington and Wigan all received byes in the Challenge Cup sixth round draw. The quarter-final draw was also made last night.

York are focused on pushing for promotion to Super League in 2021 after confirming their withdrawal from the Challenge Cup earlier this week.

All the talking points from this week in the NRL, as Sonny Bill Williams gears up for his return to Sydney Roosters.

Whitehaven have backed the RFL’s decision to cancel the Championship season, while Newcastle and Hunslet have become the latest clubs to decline an invitation to participate in an autumn competition.

Huddersfield coach Simon Woolford is grateful rugby league is back this year – aren’t we all!

If you’ve not seen it already, check out our map of every rugby league club in the UK.

What’s on social

M62 sport, etc.

Themed rounds churn out some kits.

Brisbane Firehawks?

What’s in the papers

Sonny Bill Williams will be a draw for the NRL on his return to the Roosters, but Nick Tedeschi questions the move in The Guardian.

Jonny Lomax opens up about a horrific incident playing rugby when he was a youngster which could have had a very different outcome, in the Daily Star.

Hull KR are facing the prospect of playing just one game in August, but Tony Smith is close to settling on the team to take on Warrington.

Birthdays

Great Britain and Wigan legend Jason Robinson celebrates his 46th birthday today (July 30).

Also celebrating: Ex-Widnes, Leeds and Wigan tough cookie Shane Millard (45); Castleford forward Junior Moors (34); Widnes winger Deon Cross (24); former St Helens and Halifax full-back Miles Greenwood (33)

What’s on TV/radio

10.50am – Live NRL: St George-Illawarra Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs – Sky Sports Arena

Trivia

Deon Cross has scored a try in each of his six appearances for Widnes.

Features Deon Cross