Rugby League Today: Prayers for Turgut, McGuire’s new role & North America latest

James Gordon

Photo courtesy of Richard Long

What’s on site

Ottawa have had their bid to join League One accepted and are set to join 2020, though New York will have to wait until at least 2021, the RFL has confirmed.

Could the return of the charity shield concept help with Super League’s on the road games, ala Saturday’s clash at the Nou Camp? That’s a suggestion made in this week’s editor’s column.

Danny McGuire will become Hull KR’s head of recruitment as he gears up to hang up his boots at the end of the season.

Hull have won the race to sign Salford forward Josh Jones, on a two-year deal from next season.

Ryan Hall made his NRL debut at the weekend, read all about it and his fellow Englishmen’s exploits in the latest Brits Down Under column.

Huddersfield have beaten off competition from Super League rivals to sign Halifax centre Chester Butler on a three-year deal from 2020.

What’s on social

It was the Magic Weekend media day at Anfield on Monday, and LFC have got on the act to plug the event via their official channels.

Plenty of wellwishes and prayers for Jansin Turgut, including from former team-mate Jackson Hastings.

Great bit of recognition for some long-serving members of the women’s game.

Yeah, you’ve probably seen this already, but no harm in showing it again (sorry Scott Taylor)

What’s in the papers

Former Salford and Hull forward Jansin Turgut is in a critical condition in hospital after falling from a car park at Ibiza airport, as first reported in the Daily Star.

The City of Hull Academy is to be disbanded and Hull FC and Hull KR will return to running their own set-ups, as part of the changes which will also see the reserve grade return, reports Hull Daily Mail.

Super League should expand to 14 teams to help accommodate the growing number of expansion sides interested in rugby league, writes John Yates in his latest St Helens Reporter column.

Birthdays

Leeds-half back Richie Myler, who has played for Widnes, Salford, Warrington and Catalans, turns 29 today.

Also celebrating: Controversial Australian player turned boxer Anthony Mundine (44); former Bradford hooker Heath L’Estrange (34); Wakefield prop Craig Huby (33); Papua New Guinea international Mark Mexico (30).

Trivia

22 different clubs have played in Super League since its inception in 1996, with only four clubs featuring in every season – Leeds, St Helens, Warrington and Wigan.

Features Danny McGuire