Rugby League Today: Powell happy, Salford injury crisis, Wales ace diagnosed with cancer

Drew Darbyshire

We have a couple of good and not so good stories for you today.

What’s on site

Salford will be forced to compete in the Qualifiers after losing 24-6 to Castleford. Read our report here

Castleford coach Daryl Powell lauded his younger players following their win at Salford.

Salford coach Ian Watson revealed that only 17 players in his whole squad were available to face Castleford and joked about bringing assistant Martin Gleeson out of retirement.

RLIF chief executive Nigel Wood said he was surprised to see the ARLC release a proposed international calendar without discussions with anyone else taking place.

The NRL has released its proposed full international calendar from 2018 to 2022.

The NRL has suspended Canberra full-back Jack Wighton for 10 weeks and he has been fined $30,000 for his involvement in a pre-season incident.

Eight Wigan players have been named in Lancashire’s squad for an Academy Origin clash, while Leeds have seven players included in Yorkshire’s outfit.

Dafydd Hellard has been forced to withdraw from the Wales Students squad as he undergoes chemotherapy for testicular cancer.

St Helens young hooker Aaron Smith has joined Featherstone on a one-month loan deal.

The latest ‘stat attack’ feature is out now. Tom Johnstone and Jermaine McGillvary made the most metres in Round 20 but we bet you can’t guess who missed the most tackles…

Nottingham Outlaws have published an open letter ‘highlighting serious problems’.

North Wales Crusaders have re-signed Karl Ashall from Championship club Barrow.

What’s in the papers

Ryan Hampshire’s late penalty salvages draw for Wakefield at Leeds, report The Guardian.

Huddersfield 20 Wigan 12: Five things we learned, report Wigan Today.

Steve Price to seek clarification on penalty decisions, report Warrington Guardian.

Saints see off Hull FC to seal top spot before the Super 8s split, report St Helens Star.

Danny Brough praises Simon Woolford’s impact at Huddersfield, report The Yorkshire Post.

Adam Cuthbertson: On-and-off-field signings hint at exciting times ahead for Leeds, report Yorkshire Evening Post.

Lee Radford says Hull FC ran out of petrol and crumbled too easily against Saints, report Hull Daily Mail.

Ryan Shaw confirms his Hull KR season is over as knee surgery awaits, report Hull Daily Mail.

What’s on social

A tight affair at Emerald Headingley last night…

A smart shirt from Workington!

Uh oh!

Bill Tupou is on fire this year!

What’s on TV/Radio

The latest Super League Pod is available to download now, in association with Love Rugby League.

The latest ‘Sport at Six’ podcast by BBC Radio Manchester’s Jack Dearden and Trevor Hunt 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.