Rugby League Today: Sonny Bill will not wear Betfred logo, French at full-back & latest gossip

Drew Darbyshire

A wrap up of the latest rugby league news.

What’s on site

The first ‘off the record’ gossip column of the year is out now. We tell you about Jon Wilkin’s retirement u-turn, Anglo-French relations at Catalans and the NRL prop who Leeds missed out on.

Matty Smith is raring to go with Widnes in the Championship after what has been a testing couple of years for himself. He says some interesting stuff about his time at Wigan and St Helens.

Toulouse have announced their squad numbers for 2020. Jy Hitchcox, Frank Winterstein, Lloyd White and Harrison Hansen will ply their trade for the French club this year.

Sydney Roosters will auction their 2020 World Club Challenge shirts to help raise funds for the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.

Hull KR forward Dean Hadley has been ruled out for up to 12 weeks with a dislocated thumb.

What’s in the papers

Sonny Bill Williams is set to refuse to wear the logo of Super League’s title sponsor Betfred due to his religious beliefs, report The Telegraph.

Sonny Bill Williams insists he still has a point to prove despite conquering the world, report the Mirror.

Sonny Bill Williams said he still has a point to prove to the rugby world as he prepares to make his long-awaited return to league, report The Guardian.

Sonny Bill Williams insists he will be “ready to go” by Toronto Wolfpack’s first match in Super League, report The Sun.

Wigan’s new full-back Bevan French has been tipped to take the new Super League campaign by storm, with team-mate Jake Bibby labelling his talent as “outrageous”, report Wigan Today.

What’s on social

Great content.

So Jon Wilkin has a phone case with a topless Sonny Bill Williams on!

We miss Greg Inglis.

What’s on TV/Radio

Podcast: The Final Hooter 2020 #1 – we are back with a bang!

Episode 46: Love Rugby League Weekly, hosted by deputy editor Drew Darbyshire.

The latest Chasing Kangaroos – An International Rugby League podcast is available to download now.

The latest Howlin’ Hour podcast is available to download now. Toronto Wolfpack founder Eric Perez is a special guest on the show.

The latest Forty20 LIVE podcast is out now.

We’ve got some top video content coming soon (biased, we know).

Birthdays

Hull KR’s star recruit Shaun Kenny-Dowall turns 32 today.

Also celebrating; Wests Tigers legend Robbie Farah (36), Swinton hooker Scott Moore (32) and Salford half-back Tui Lolohea (25).

Trivia

Sonny Bill Williams’ last game in rugby league was back in 2014, with his Sydney Roosters side going down to a 32-22 defeat against rivals South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL preliminary finals.

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