Rugby League Today: Support for Masoe, Edwards candid over drink problems & Wane the saviour?

James Gordon

Photo courtesy of Richard Long

What’s on site

A number of candidates have thrown their hat in the ring for the England job, RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer has revealed. Former Wigan coach Shaun Wane has previously expressed his interest in the job.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan says his emotional testimonial game at Headingley on Sunday is the greatest moment of his career.

The RFL have announced that the Championship and League 1 play-offs will change in 2020, back to how they should have always been in the first place.

The 1895 Cup final will be played as a curtain-raiser to the Challenge Cup final at Wembley, again something that should have been the case last year too.

South Sydney Rabbitohs have signed Australia international Latrell Mitchell from city rivals Sydney Roosters, bringing to an end the long drawn out saga over his contract negotiations.

There has been an outpouring of support and concern for Hull KR forward Mose Masoe, who the club revealed has had surgery on a serious spinal injury suffered in the game at Wakefield on Sunday.

What’s on social

It was the RFL season launch in Huddersfield on Monday. Expect lots of content from the day on the site very soon.

John Kear jokingly told me he might have a go at persuading Stuart Fielden to come out of retirement after seeing him play against Leeds on Sunday.

Some positive news on former Whitehaven and Workington coach Ged Stokes.

View this post on Instagram

Just want to share a bit of love back to everyone after all the love we have all received. It has been a very tough few weeks for us all with what has happened to my father Ged He continues to improve day by day but it’s going to be a slow process for him but he’s hard as nails and doesn’t like to give in. On behalf of myself and the whole entire Stokes family we would like to say. This is to every single person who has taken time to send such lovely messages on social media..every person who has said that my dad is in their prayers…every person who has offered support in different ways . We are so so so grateful . Words can’t really express what this means to us but we all just want to say a massive THANKYOU – the love has been very much needed and very much appreciated ❤ Regards Stokes fam ??

A post shared by Ben Stokes (@stokesy) on

Love him or hate him, Piers Morgan raised awareness and support for Rob Burrow to his 7.1m followers on Twitter.

What’s in the papers

An extraordinary piece with Julie Stott in The Mirror on new Huddersfield signing Kenny Edwards, who says he has been sober for nine months after admitting he had been an alcoholic since the age of 12.

Prince Harry is to remain as patron of the RFL, despite his well-publicised decision to step away from Royal duties with wife Meghan Markle, reports The Sun.

There are fears that Wakefield winger Ben Jones-Bishop may never play Super League again due to a blood clot, according to the Daily Star.

Birthdays

England international Chris Heighington, who qualified through his father and won eight caps despite playing his entire club career in the NRL, turns 38 today (January 14th).

Also celebrating: St Helens forward Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (34); former Australia and Canterbury half Braith Anasta (38); Dewsbury assistant Gareth Greenwood (37); Tongan ex-Widnes forward Sione Kite (32); Barrow centre Declan Hulme (27).

What’s on TV/radio

Podcast: The Final Hooter International #2 – full-time report and analysis by Love Rugby League.

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.

Trivia

A round ball was used in the first ever game of rugby league (then Northern Union) following the split from the RFU.

Features Bradford Bulls