Rugby League Today: Wire Williams, Salford stadium update & France launch World Cup 2025 bid

James Gordon

What’s on site

It’s finally happened. Warrington have created enough salary cap room to sign England half-back George Williams, on a three and a half year deal.

France have officially launched their bid to host the 2025 World Cup, with a decision set to be made prior to the 2021 event after the International Rugby League endorsed the bid.

A decision to relax rules relating to player movement in Super League, as well as various salary cap implications, prompted a flurry of deals yesterday evening – with Warrington prop Rob Butler heading to Leigh, Salford signing two more on loan and Leeds sending a pair to York.

One of those Leeds players is Corey Johnson, the 20-year-old hooker who retired from the game last March to focus on a career outside of the sport, midway through a four year deal. He is back with the Rhinos and will spend the next few weeks at least on loan in the Championship.

The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has added more fuel to the fire of a campaign calling for an independent review of rugby league moving forward. That, plus reflection on Kevin Sinfield’s departure from the sport, are mentioned in this column which also includes quotes from experienced administrator, Australian Shane Richardson.

It’s been a busy few days news wise, and Hull KR’s headline capture of Lachlan Coote from St Helens may not have got as much coverage as usual. But what the move does highlight, is how the salary cap can still be used as a positive for Super League.

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What’s on social

A lengthy thread on a meeting at the AJ Bell Stadium regarding Salford’s future.

More on Salford on Gary Carter’s twitter too.

Nice leak from someone on the inside yesterday.

Love this from Andrew Henderson and Devon Sharks.

There’s only one Positive Reinforcement Crew chairman.

More on this soon…

What’s in the papers

The talk in Australia that this season’s record breaking scores will need to come with an asterisk, owing to the significant impact that the changes like the six-again rule have had on the NRL. (Sydney Morning Herald)

Adam Quinlan will leave Hull KR at the end of the season following the arrival of Lachlan Coote. Danny McGuire said: “It was obviously a tough call for the club to make but I’m sure Quinny will have a big finish and a big say in the season for us.” (Hull Live)

Birthdays

Warrington centre Toby King turns 25 today (July 9)

Also celebrating: Scotland international Brett Carter (33); Championship flier Rob Worrincy (36); ex-Hull and Halifax utility Shayne McMenemy (45).

What’s on TV/radio

10.55am – Live NRL: South Sydney v North Queensland – Sky Sports Arena

7.30pm – Live Super League: Leeds v Catalans – Sky Sports Arena

Trivia

There were 30 teams in the RFL’s single-tier competition in 1966 – 27 of those are still in the current three professional divisions of 36 teams. The three missing: Blackpool Borough, Bramley and Liverpool City.

Features Devon Sharks