Rugby League Today: McShane and Griffin make England cut, Saints star banned & Stanley returns
A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.
What’s on site
We take a look at 13 players that are worth keeping an eye on throughout the 2020 NRL season.
Editor James Gordon has looked in to what has gone wrong at Warrington in his latest column. He believes Warrington are paying the price for Cup success.
The latest paper talk is out now. Morgan Escare is on the loan market, Robbie Mulhern is on Melbourne’s radar and Warrington half-back Dec Patton has been offered to clubs.
St Helens coach Kristian Woolf has provided an injury update on James Bentley who limped off in their win over Toronto on Saturday.
Israel Folau played his first Super League match in England during Catalans Dragons’ 34-29 win over Hull FC on Sunday. We have taken a look at him in focus.
What’s in the papers
St Helens hooker Aaron Smith has been handed a one-match ban after being fond guilty of making dangerous contact in Saturday’s win over Toronto Wolfpack, reports St Helens Reporter.
Castleford hooker Paul McShane and Hull centre Josh Griffin will be two new faces in Shaun Wane’s first England squad, reports The Yorkshire Post.
Ryan Brierley says Hull KR’s team spirit hasn’t wavered despite their tough run, reports Hull Live.
Liam Marshall copped a roasting from team-mate Liam Farrell while he was scoring a wonder try for Wigan, reports Wigan Today.
Cameron Smith is intent on proving there is scope for ball-handling loose forwards in the modern game and that coach Richard Agar does not need a big name recruit, reports Yorkshire Evening Post.
What’s on social
We all miss Sam Burgess.
Just a reminder of how much I’m gonna miss Sam Burgess playing.
Absolute beast….#beastmode #beast #NRL #Souths #RugbyLeague pic.twitter.com/VnpmFJtQ5C— Rugby League Best Tries Hits and Biffs (@NBiffs) March 2, 2020
Toronto have been boosted by the return of Chase Stanley.
Squad update: Chase Stanley has rejoined the team.
Welcome back, Chase! 😃 pic.twitter.com/KdekmDJSTd
— Toronto Wolfpack (@TOwolfpack) March 2, 2020
A reminder of why the reserves are so important…
A good reminder of why the reserves are so important.
After his three years with the Under-19s, Marshall wasn’t given a first-team deal but he stuck at it with the club’s reserves where he then earned a professional contract, and is now being tipped for England honours. 👏 https://t.co/x0EIeSRtV0
— Drew Darbyshire (@DrewDarbyshire) March 2, 2020
What’s on TV/Radio
Super League Show – BBC Two (1pm)
Toronto Wolfpack ‘superfan’ Sandy Shipley is this week’s guest on The Last Tackle. She talks about following the Wolfpack’s Canadian rugby league dream.
Super League’s Out Of Your League podcast is back, featuring Rob Burrow.
Sky Sports’ Golden Point podcast is available to download now.
Betfred have launched a magazine show called The Last Tackle on YouTube, hosted by Mark Pearson.
Tanya Arnold hosts the Super League Show.
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.
The latest Total Rugby League Show is available to download now, hosted by Ben Hughes.
The In Touch Show is out now by Betfred.
Birthdays
Former Wakefield and Bradford favourite Semi Tadulala turns 42 today.
Also celebrating; ex-Australia international Brent Tate (38), former Wigan centre Darrell Goulding (32) and London Broncos hooker Matty Fozard (25).
Trivia
Halifax hold the record for longest losing streak in a Super League season, having lost 27 on the bounce between March 2003 and September 2003.
Watch our Last Tackle podcast, featuring a guest, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on YouTube.