Rugby League Today: RFL briefing, no guarantees for Toronto and NRL TV update

James Gordon

It’s the RFL season launch today, meaning we’ll be busy speaking to players and coaches from Super League, Championship and League One. But in the meantime, here’s your daily morning update on what’s happening on and off the site.

What’s on the site

We got the chance to sit down with RFL acting chief executive Ralph Rimmer earlier this week, and he revealed that no decision will be made on the structure for 2019 before the start of the season, meaning clubs won’t know what they’re playing for when it kicks off.

Rimmer also revealed that England are waiting on Wayne Bennett to make a decision over his future and for the NRL to agree to release players for a mid-season test with New Zealand in Denver.

ICYMI, the latest issue of our Off the Record gossip column is out now, featuring talk on Bennett’s possible successor and also plenty of talk on Toronto.

We are now just a week away from the start of the season, so make sure you keep up with our latest Super League previews and also check out our six overseas signings in the Championship to watch in the new season.

Don’t forget too to pick your Fantasy Rugby League team – in both Super League and the Championship – as well as enter our newly launched Tipping League.

What’s in the papers

Widnes prop Gil Dudson, who will miss the start of the season through injury, is calling for the international game to be taken seriously in the Daily Star.

Make sure you check out Gavin Willacy’s excellent column in The Guardian which has a hefty bit on Wigan, but also some interesting anecdotes relating to France and Canada.

What’s on social

The aforementioned briefing with Ralph Rimmer triggered a bit of a fuss on Twitter, especially with comments on Toronto.

It has at least given me a reason to plug a piece from a while back.

And The Mirror’s top man, Gareth Walker, is looking for shout outs to youngsters to cover in their regular scouting reports.

What’s on radio/TV

There’s nothing on today (hopefully the last Thursday for a long while!) but there is some welcome news on NRL coverage.

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