Rugby League Today: RFL hopeful of Ashes going ahead, Thaler returns & 13-team Super League

Drew Darbyshire

A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.

What’s on site

The National Rugby League has suspended the season due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Wigan owner Ian Lenagan has praised the collaboration of all sectors of rugby league as clubs battle for survival.

A new governing body will have to take charge of rugby league in Tonga after the Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) was expelled from International Rugby League.

Two Oceana Cup matches scheduled for June 2020 will be postponed as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

A special meeting of the Malta Rugby League board has agreed to postpone all local activity, effective immediately, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What’s in the papers

RFL’s Ralph Rimmer on pay cuts, the Challenge Cup, games behind closed doors and Toronto, reports Hull Live.

Coronavirus leaves Super League facing a 13-team season next year, reports The Guardian.

Super League referee Ben Thaler free to return to the game after RFL investigation, reports St Helens Reporter.

Rugby Football League boss Ralph Rimmer is still hopeful the Ashes series goes ahead – describing it as a “key part of our jigsaw”, reports Wigan Today.

Police checks, curfews and prison-style training – Steve McNamara on life in lockdown France, reports the Mirror.

What’s on social

Big respect to Kevin Sinfield.

What a game.

This is pretty cool…

What’s on TV/Radio

NRL Tonight – Fox League (7am)

NRL 360 (Coaches Night) – Fox League (7:30am)

Controversy Corner – Fox League (8am)

Former Super League and NRL forward Keith Mason is this week’s guest on The Last Tackle. He talks about his switch to the NRL at 20 as well as his new rugby comic – Rugby Blood.

Super League’s Out Of Your League podcast is back, featuring Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan.

Sky Sports’ Golden Point podcast is available to download now.

Tanya Arnold hosts the Super League Show.

Podcast: The Final Hooter #4 – featuring rugby league royalty Ellery Hanley.

The latest Forty20 LIVE podcast is out now.

The latest 5 Live Rugby League Podcast is out now, hosted by Dave Woods.

Birthdays

England and Catalans full-back Sam Tomkins turns 31 today.

Also celebrating; Huddersfield prop Suaia Matagi (32), Leigh centre Liam Forsyth (24) and former Bradford full-back Michael Platt (36).

Trivia

Bradford hold the record for biggest home win in Super League, with the Bulls beating Salford 96-16 in 2000.

Watch our Last Tackle podcast, featuring a guest, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on YouTube.

Listen to The Final Hooter podcast, featuring exclusive interviews, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on Apple Podcasts.
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