Rugby League Today: First Tuesday Super League for five years, James Graham & Watson unhappy

James Gordon

What’s on site

Nothing unites rugby league like a player swearing live on Sky Sports – watch Jake Mamo’s interview again in this week’s editor’s column, which also looks at James Graham’s international career in numbers.

The headline news from Monday was that Graham has retired from international duty, informing England coach Shaun Wane that he does not want to be considered for selection for next year’s World Cup.

Super League remains undecided whether it will run with 11 teams or 12 teams, if they decide that Toronto Wolfpack can’t return to the competition for 2021, according to Robert Elstone.

There are two Super League games today, yes Tuesday, and three clubs have made wholesale changes to their squads with one eye on this weekend’s Challenge Cup semi-finals.

Whoever makes it through to Wembley on October 17 will be playing in the first ever Challenge Cup final to be played behind closed doors, the RFL has confirmed.

Three clubs who voted against Toronto remaining in Super League were revealed in Monday’s papers, and this week’s Paper Talk looks at that, plus Stevie Ward’s concussion issues and Gareth Ellis’ worry for the future of rugby league.

What’s on social

Variety is the spice of life.

Plenty of tributes.

Well played.

What’s in the papers

Salford coach Ian Watson says he is dismayed by the disciplinary process, after losing Dan Sarginson and Luke Yates for the Challenge Cup semi-final against Warrington. He laid in to players overreacting to tackles, the timing of bans and the fixture schedule, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Adrian Lam says Umyla Hanley is forging his own path in the game, after being named in the Wigan squad for the Super League game against St Helens on Tuesday.

The Guardian says anything can happen in the NRL play-offs, after what they called a “predictable” regular season. Tough audience.

Birthdays

York coach James Ford turns 38 today, and he’s had plenty of early birthday presents in the way of signings (September 29).

Also celebrating: former Bradford full-back Brett Kearney (37); recent Swinton signing Sam Brooks (27); ex-Widnes full-back Tim Holmes (38); Widnes great Jim Mills (76).

What’s on TV/radio

1pm – Super League Show – BBC Two

5.30pm – Live Super League: Salford v Warrington – Sky Sports Arena

7.45pm – Live Super League: Wigan v St Helens – Sky Sports Arena

Trivia

It’s the first time a Super League game has been played on a Tuesday for more than five years – the last was when Hull KR took on Salford on June 30 2015. The Robins won 34-28.

Features Hull KR