Rugby League Today: Sam Tomkins prolonge, cup final contingency & NRL unsportsmanlike?

James Gordon

Innes Senior (18) of Wakefield Trinity goes over for a try

What’s on site

Warrington or Hull could have been drafted in to play in the Challenge Cup final, had COVID hindered Castleford and St Helens, the RFL has revealed. Contingency planning for this and a host of other issues were the subject of an RFL briefing with the media at the weekend.

England full-back Sam Tomkins has extended his stay with Super League table toppers Catalans.

Castleford were hit for 70 by Salford at the weekend, as they rested the majority of their squad ahead of next weekend’s Challenge Cup final against St Helens.

Wigan ended a run of five straight defeats with a 16-12 victory over Huddersfield.

Winger Adam Swift has committed his future to Hull FC, signing a new two-year deal.

Steve McNamara was a happy man as his Catalans set a new club-record winning streak with a hard-fought 26-18 win over Leeds on Friday night.

What’s on social

Wingers come up with some miracles don’t they? I was at this game and there was absolutely no way he got it down watching it live, or so I thought…

I have no idea what this is about, and I don’t want to know.

Another one from the NRL causing some fuss with accusations of unsportsmanlike – don’t see the issue with it myself. Way down the list of issues with exploiting the rules for me.

What’s in the papers

Hull KR could face a fifth successive postponement due to COVID if the derby against Hull FC is called off this week. The Robins have 11 games in eight weeks to come, that’s before any consideration is made to re-arranging those called off. Hull Live has had a look at who they’ve got to play and when games might be played.

Castleford coach Daryl Powell says he has no regrets over the team selection that saw his side thumped 70-18 by Salford at the weekend – as he protected his stars ahead of Saturday’s Wembley date with St Helens. (St Helens Star)

Birthdays

Papua New Guinea international Thompson Teteh, who had a spell at Featherstone, is 32 today (July 12)

Also celebrate: South Sydney prop Jai Arrow (26), London forward Greg Richards (26); ex-London prop Karl Temata (43); former Paris St Germain and France international Darren Adams (56).

What’s on TV/radio

11.10pm – Super League Show – BBC One

Trivia

Salford’s win over Castleford equalled their highest points total in a league match in the summer era – though the 70-16 win over Featherstone in 2016 was in The Qualifiers.

Features Innes Senior