Rugby League Today: England’s mid-season test plans, French TV talk & some Sonny Bill trivia

James Gordon

What’s on site

Plenty of gossip to get your teeth in to in Ray Mour’s latest Off the Record column, including some worrying developments in France.

The French domestic competition has landed a TV deal for the 2019/20 season, which is more than Catalans have managed for 2020, which could mean fans can’t watch games in Perpignan on TV.

After all the Sonny Bill Williams talk – who next for Toronto Wolfpack?

Wakefield have confirmed the return of Adam Tangata for the 2020 season.

Jermaine McGillvary says he is determined to make amends for his missed try chance for Great Britain against New Zealand.

Former Cronulla chief Damian Irvine has joined League 1 club Hunslet as a non-executive director, as the club tries to secure its long term future amidst an uncertain environment.

What’s on social

More rugby league politics talk, as Whitehaven fan Karl Connor confronts Nigel Farage on the street.

An iconic image that will go down in history.

Here you go you armchair referees, perfect opportunity.

Might be one to check out if you’ve got a spare minute.

What’s in the papers

A fascinating piece from Gareth Walker in The Mirror, as he went behind the scenes at BBC Sport for their live coverage of the Great Britain tour.

Sam Burgess has been in court to defend what his legal team say are false allegations by his father-in-law in Australia, reports The Guardian.

England are set to play a mid-season test in June, reports Gary Carter in The Sun, despite there being no gap left in the Super League calendar.

Birthdays

Highly-rated Wigan youngster Morgan Smithies celebrates his 19th birthday today (November 7th).

Also celebrating: Leeds’ Cameron Smith (21); Fiji international Apisai Koroisau (27); new Salford signing Jack Ormondroyd (28); former Warrington and Leigh utility Mitch Brown (32).

Trivia

Sonny Bill will be the 13th “Williams” to play in Super League – equalling the Walkers (13), and only bettered by the Johnsons (16) and of course the Smiths (36).

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