Rugby League Today: Watkins on World Cup, bold proposals & more restart talk

Drew Darbyshire

A wrap up of the latest news in rugby league.

What’s on site

Canterbury comfortably beat St George Illawarra 22-2 at Bankwest Stadium.

The NRL has been granted permission for small crowds to attend games in round five of the competition this week by the New South Wales government.

Great Britain and St Helens legend Paul Sculthorpe is our latest guest on My Set of Six. He talks Ellery Hanley, Challenge Cup finals and his wish for the future of rugby league.

Salford have signed hooker Andy Ackers from Toronto with immediate effect on a deal until the end of the 2022 season.

Andrew Johns: The Newcastle Knights favourite who became a rugby league icon.

What’s in the papers

Kallum Watkins aims to show the same fight and spirit as coronavirus survivor dad Garry to win an England World Cup spot next year, reports The Sun.

Championship and League 1 clubs share bold proposals to return to action in 2020, reports the Mirror.

Super League considers increase in number of interchanges on return, reports The Guardian.

Wigan prop Ben Flower is on the radar of Toronto for next season, reports Wigan Today.

Tony Smith on what he needs to add to Hull KR squad and why it will be a one-off, reports Hull Live.

What’s on social

Kalyn Ponga is a special talent.

Who would be in your starting line-up if the Exiles was to return in 2020?

Another two assists for George Williams at the weekend…

What’s on TV/Radio

LIVE NRL: Canterbury Bulldogs v St George Illawarra Dragons (7:05am) – Sky Sports Arena

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.

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

Former Australia, Queensland, Brisbane and Wigan favourite Steve Renouf turns 50 today.

Also celebrating; Wests forward Luciano Leilua (24), former Newcastle Knights and Gold Coast player Scott Conley (47) and former New South Wales and Ireland representative David Barnhill (51).

Trivia

Pat Richards holds the record for most points scored in a Super League season, with 434 to his name for Wigan in 2010.

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.


More on site

My Set of Six: with Saints legend Paul Sculthorpe featuring Ellery Hanley & Challenge Cup finals

Andrew Johns: The Newcastle Knights favourite who became a rugby league icon