Rugby League Today: NRL clubs want World Cup postponed, Leeds losses & the worst tackle ever?

James Gordon

What’s on site

How would a Combined Celtic Nations team look? Drew’s had a look at how a Ireland, Scotland and Wales selection, based on Barrie McDermott’s suggestion, might look.

Are back-to-back champions St Helens preparing a mini re-build? That’s one of the theories in this week’s gossip column.

Peter Mata’utia says brother Sione is gutted to be missing the Challenge Cup final at Wembley through suspension.

Constantine Mika has linked up with former Hull KR team-mate Rhys Lovegrove at Keighley.

As well as the cup final, there are some Super League games this weekend – here’s the team news.

What’s on social

I have no idea who actually has a say in what goes on anymore.

Who needs enemies, eh?

Classic, this one. PSG being in Super League in 1996 maybe made him think it was between Castleford and Wakefield.

Sine die ban if this happened today?

What’s in the papers

South Sydney CEO, Blake Solly, formerly of the RFL, says the NRL clubs want the World Cup postponed and want to see international games played in New Zealand at the end of this year. He said: “The collective view when we discussed the tournament a few weeks ago was that it needed to be postponed until 2022.” (Yorkshire Live)

The battle between current Man of Steel Paul McShane and St Helens’ very own Man of Steel James Roby will be one of the key contests of Saturday’s Challenge Cup final between Saints and Castleford. Roby said: “I don’t really worry too much about the opposition, but Paul McShane is a fantastic player.” (Manchester Evening News)

Leeds are hopeful of recovering from the difficulties of the past 18 months and reap the benefits of their refurbished Headingley home, after reporting that turnover had dropped nearly £3m and they had made a loss £1.24m last year in their latest accounts. (Yorkshire Evening Post)

What’s on TV/radio

Nothing on the main channels, but you can watch the Super League Show on iPlayer

Trivia

Castleford won their first four Challenge Cup finals, including back to back in 1969 and 1970, but have lost their last two.

Features Blake Solly