Rugby League Today: Toulouse triumph on and off the pitch, York angry & Richardson shines
What’s on site
York say they expect to be awarded the two points after their Championship game at Rochdale was postponed due to health and safety concerns over the removal of covers on the pitch.
Andre Savelio is returning to Super League with Hull, joining from Brisbane Broncos on a three-year deal.
The first round of legacy funding for the 2021 World Cup has been distributed to community clubs.
Warrington are leading the way with marketing initiatives this season, their light show on Thursday catching the eye, ahead of a planned open press event to preview their upcoming game with Wigan.
You’ve had your say on how the Great Britain squad should be selected come the end of the year.
What’s on social
Toulouse thumped Toronto with 40 unanswered second half points, but perhaps more impressively, they did so in front of a 6,000+ crowd at the Stade Ernest Wallon, home of the city’s rugby union club.
Over 6,000 fans in Toulouse to watch them beat Toronto and neither are even in #SuperLeague yet. Potential of these clubs is massive. But expansion is a waste of time according to most #RugbyLeague fans. pic.twitter.com/F2oXUDPJSH
— Cameron Don-Duncan (@CamDonDuncan) March 9, 2019
Salford recorded an outstanding win in Catalans on Saturday, what a weekend for their fans.
If you love Rugby League, doesn't matter where you're from, this is what it's all about… ❤??? pic.twitter.com/E2uLGOAs7I
— Catalan Media (@catalanmedia) March 9, 2019
Sheffield’s unbeaten start to the Championship season came to an end at Featherstone, though they did have a numerical disadvantage thanks to this.
Sheffield's Blake Broadbent was sent off for a tip tackle today, taking his man over the horizontal. On the evidence of this picture, you'd probably have to say fair enough! pic.twitter.com/eqRFemCgrC
— Aaron Bower (@AaronBower) March 10, 2019
What’s in the papers
More than 1.7m people tuned in to the first four rounds of Super League on TV, up 25% from last season.
Also in the Hull Daily Mail, James Greenwood could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines having picked up an injury in Hull KR’s win at Wakefield.
There’s a nice feature in The Sun with Hull FC new boy, Ratu Naulago, who has taken leave from the army to get his chance in Super League.
After being a key part of St Helens’ success in 2018, there have been raised eyebrows that Danny Richardson has been allowed to play for Leigh on dual-registration so far this season. He’s underwhelmed in previous games, but coach John Duffy said his display against Swinton was superb, reports the St Helens Star.
Birthdays
Jamaica international front-rower Alex Rowe, now plying his trade for Newcastle, is 34 today.
Also celebrating: ex-Hull KR and Bradford utility Rhys Lovegrove (32); Leeds and Featherstone flier Luke Briscoe (25); Hull’s former Fiji international Filimoni Seru (49).
What’s on TV/Radio
Super League Show – BBC One – 11:20pm
Super League Fulltime – Sky Sports Arena – 11pm
The Final Hooter podcast by Love Rugby League’s Dave Parkinson and Adrian Jackson is now available to download.
The latest 5 Live Rugby League podcast is available to download now, presented by Dave Woods.
The Full Eighty Minutes podcast by Proper Sport is available to download now.
The Forty20 Rugby League podcast is available to download now.
The Total Rugby League Show is available to download now.
The Betfred League 1 podcast is available to listen now on the Our League channel.
Trivia
Salford have nilled Catalans three times in Super League – 16-0 and 10-0 in 2006 and 2007 at The Willows, and the 46-0 win on Saturday in Perpignan.