Rugby League Today: Where was Super League at, new European competition & Powell on Cas chances
5th March 2020, Emerald Headingley, Leeds, England; Betfred Super League, Leeds Rhinos v Toronto Wolfpack : Sonny Bill Williams (21) of Toronto Wolfpack during the game
What’s on site
A new rugby league competition has been making waves on Twitter – but does EuroXIIIs have substance?
Liam Sutcliffe has handed in a transfer request at Leeds.
Where were we? We take a look back at where Super League was up to pre-lockdown, ahead of the competition’s return next month.
Mixed weekend for Brits Down Under, as Josh Hodgson suffered a serious injury playing for Canberra Raiders, but former St Helens forward Luke Thompson made his NRL bow.
Warrington hooker Danny Walker is the latest guest on My Set of Six.
Canberra have confirmed the signing of Wigan youngster Harry Rushton, who is yet to make his first team debut for the Warriors.
France international Morgan Escare says he is delighted to have signed for Salford.
The revised Super League fixture list is expected to be released this week, after a further delay.
The international rugby league calendar has been decimated due to COVID-19, and now the 2020 European Championships have been cancelled.
What’s on social
The NRL season could be stopped for a stand-alone Origin series.
“I will be talking about that poll with the CEOs tomorrow. What we would have to do is make the international game at least commercially viable and give Fox, Sky and other broadcasters a product they could run.”@NRLcomhttps://t.co/V2wNKvBjqP
— Brad Walter (@BradWalterSport) July 13, 2020
Nice find.
Tidying up and finding my favourite rugby league picture in this book of Andrew Varley's photography. pic.twitter.com/YSyj4WPg6t
— outofplacetom (@outofplacetom) July 13, 2020
Nice touch, nice stash.
This is why Rugby League is the greatest game of all!!! An NRL Referee sent new a care package after seeing me down from my family problems. Please RT! Thanks so much ❤️ pic.twitter.com/sSqKVEFPDY
— Gaddis Guidance (@MonteGaddis) July 7, 2020
What’s in the papers
The report in The Mirror that updated everyone on the current situation with player pay cuts in Super League.
Hull centre Cameron Scott finds himself in limbo, reports the Hull Daily Mail, as he waits to see if the Championship resumes. He is on a season-long loan with Leigh.
Kevin Sinfield has explained the situation with Liam Sutcliffe in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Also in the Yorkshire Post, Castleford coach Daryl Powell is pragmatic about the number of teams that can reach the play-offs reducing to four, and says they are capable of reaching the top.
Birthdays
Germany international Jimmy Keinhorst, who made his name at Leeds and has had spells with Wakefield, Widnes, Hull KR and York, turns 30 today (July 14).
Also celebrating: Keinhorst’s former Leeds team-mate Mitch Achurch (32): Australian backrower Cory Paterson (33).
What’s on TV/radio
Nothing live today – but the latest BBC 5 Live podcast asks if COVID-19 will affect the 2021 Rugby League World Cup?
Trivia
There are 40 members of the Rugby League European Federation, under three different categories – full members, associate members and observers.