Rugby League Today: Patton suspended, NRL returns, England squads announced

Drew Darbyshire

International Rugby League is the hot topic of today while the NRL season also gets underway.

What’s on site

Warrington’s Declan Patton has been banned for five games while Huddersfield’s Daniel Smith has had his suspension lengthened.

We have got all of latest 19-man squads for Friday’s Betfred Super League clashes, including Warrington v St Helens and Widnes v Huddersfield.

Tom Johnstone has been named in England’s Elite Performance Squad that will regularly meet throughout the season.

Five Wigan players and five from Hull FC have been included in Paul Anderson’s 25-man England Knights Performance Squad.

We are a month into the 2018 Betfred Super League season so we have taken an in-depth look at who has impressed the most in our latest ‘six tackles’ feature.

Widnes Vikings co-captain Joe Mellor says the club handled the passing of Kato Ottio in a well-respected and touching fashion.

What’s in the papers

Gareth Walker’s scouting report is back for The Mirror. Meet Matty English – the giant ‘polar bear’ who has all the traits of England front-rower James Graham.

Matthew Lodge says he was ‘reckless’ with prescription drugs at time of attack, report The Guardian.

Paul Connolly focuses on the NRL in his latest column for The Guardian. Cooper Cronk boosts the Roosters’ premiership credentials what does his absence mean for the premiers?

Joe Burgess insists he’s ready to face Wigan’s awesome foursome battle head on, claim the Daily Star.

Elliott Whitehead believes John Bateman can be a hit if he moves to the NRL, The Sun report in an exclusive.

What’s on social

The rumour mill has been pretty hectic recently… Off the record is back!

A lovely little throwback. The good ol’ days!

Just brilliant by the NRL.

What’s on TV/Radio

Super League Fulltime – 7.30am, Sky Sports Arena, presented by Bill Arthur.

Live NRL: St George Illawarra Dragons v Brisbane Broncos – 8.00am, Sky Sports Arena & Main Event

Women’s Super League Preview – 7.15pm, Sky Sports Mix & Main Event

Live Betfred Super League: Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC – 7.30pm, Sky Sports Arena & Main Event

Betfred Super League: Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC Highlights – 2.30am, Sky Sports Action

5 Live Rugby League – 7.00pm, 5 Live Sports Extra, commentary from Dave Woods.

The latest ‘Sport at Six’ podcast by BBC Radio Manchester’s Jack Dearden and Trevor Hunt is available to download now.

The latest League Express podcast is available to download now.

The latest Rugby League show on Proper Sport is available to download now.

The latest Whippets and Flat Caps podcast is available to download now, presented by Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan.

The latest 5 Live Rugby League podcast is available to download now, presented by Dave Woods.

The latest Rugby League on talkSPORT 2 podcast is available to download now.

The Final Hooter podcast by Love Rugby League’s Dave Parkinson and Adrian Jackson is now available to download.

Features Canberra Raiders