Luke Littler labels League “the real sport” as he rattles Union fans

For all the drama surrounding disciplinary in Rugby League, the sport is riding the crest of a wave currently with one of sport’s rising stars Luke Littler having become a huge advocate for the game.

Luke Littler may well have been unknown to most of the wider public this time last year but following a fairytale run to the final of the PDC Dart’s World Championship Final over the festive period, he has become one of the hottest commodities in sport.

Much of that fairytale narrative revolved around the fact that he was just 16 as he marched to the final but the now 17-year-old is still making waves having hit two nine-darters this season as well as impressing in the Premier League of Darts.

Littler is a huge Warrington Wolves fan which led to the club mascot Wolfie appearing at one of his World Championship games whilst the teenager has also been a regular attending Sam Burgess’ training sessions.

He will very likely be on the terraces at the Halliwell Jones Stadium tomorrow night as Warrington just Hull FC, and in doing so he’ll help make up another major crowd.

Round One of Super League saw the record attendance for an opening round broken with multiple games surpassing the 10,000 mark whilst the Hull derby broke the 20,000 barrier.

Pair the impressive attendance figures with the new TV deal and it’s fair to say Rugby League is flourishing and it’s just had a huge endorsement again from rising star  Luke Littler.

“League is the real sport” – Luke Littler angers Union fans

In an interview with Joe, Luke Littler was asked a number of questions including what he spent his World Championship winnings on, his sporting heroes and also what sport he’d play if not for darts.

It was a simple answer for the 17-year-old who said: “Obviously, everyone wants to be a footballer but I’ve got a local rugby team so I probably would have tried rugby.”

Pushed further on which code, Littler was swift to respond: “League. The real sport.”

It was a glowing advert for the sport considering the immense pull that the teenager has but it was one that has certainly triggered fans of the 15-player code and may well have cost Littler a few fans.

Joe’s dedicated Rugby page shared the quote on their Instagram and it led to a tirade of abuse from Rugby Union fans, some of which were disgusting comments.

Of the more PG-friendly responses were suggestions that Littler was intoxicated either on the beers or “on smack”, whilst others sadly resorted to insults.

Given that the 17-year-old has already handled the pressure of being on the main stage with thousands of fans jeering and still managing to hit the winning dart it surely won’t phase him, but nevertheless, it’s awful to see.

Hopefully, Littler continues to flourish and also put his support behind the “real sport” of Rugby League, and maybe, just maybe, with his public support, it could just be Warrington’s year.