Below is a round-up of all the latest news from the world of rugby league over the last 24 hours.
Burrow talks up ‘Super Girl’ wife Lindsey
Rob Burrow was one of thousands to complete the Leeds Marathon this past weekend and he did so with best mate Kevin Sinfield who carried him across the line, and he’s now explained why. Another to compete was Burrow’s wife Lindsey and Rob has since spoken about how amazing she is after her mammoth fundraising effort. Burrow has also shown his incredible humour when detailing “one of the best days of his life”.
In-demand Englishman hit with big injury blow
Owen Trout has been one of the names on everyone’s lips in the past two weeks with the Huddersfield Giants’ forward reportedly keen to leave and look for opportunities elsewhere. It’s now been confirmed that Trout has suffered a major injury and will likely be out for the season, meaning we could have seen him in Huddersfield colours for the final time.
Four Challenge Cup games to be televised
This week sees the return of the Challenge Cup and it also means the return of free-to-air rugby league with two of the four cup matches on the BBC. Fans will be able to watch arguably the tie of the round in Leeds vs Wigan on BBC though, with the week’s full schedule here. The officials for all those matches have also been confirmed with Chris Kendall set to take the charge of Leeds Wigan.
Super League side confirm coach departure
Wakefield Trinity have struggled massively this year but the foundations of the club seemed to be in line with young coaches, developing stands and an academy producing the likes of Lewis Murphy and Corey Hall. One of those young coaches, assistant James Ford, has now been announced as Director of Rugby at Featherstone despite being in the job just six months. It took Wakefield themselves almost 24 hours to acknowledge that news and they’ve now confirmed it and are “considering all circumstances”.
Challenge Cup Team News
Hull KR could lean on the youth to surpass Batley on Friday night as their spine problems intensify. St Helens have rested their veteran skipper James Roby but otherwise look close to full strength for their first visit to the Shay in twenty years. Meanwhile Leigh and Wakefield clash with Trinity looking for their first win and facing an in-form and strong Leigh squad.
Giants aim for amazing attendance record
Huddersfield Giants have announced that they’re launching an attempt at breaking their Super League record attendance when they face Leeds later in the season. That game isn’t until August but the club have announced they aim to bring a major marketing strategy, including tickets capped at £15, to pack out the John Smith’s Stadium with 15,630 fans or more to break their current record.
Two key men re-sign with respective clubs
Arthur Mourgue is one of the most exciting full-backs in the competition and during a time when French rugby league looks to be in a poor state of affairs he is a shining light. More positivity has come from the news he has signed a new contract extension with Catalans. Meanwhile a man at the opposite end of his career is Kane Linnett but the 34-year-old has committed to another year on Humberside, extending with Hull KR.
Solutions for collapsed World Cup
Since the announcement from the tournament organisers that they would not be able to host the 2025 World Cup the question has been what next. Legendary commentator Andrew Voss has now come up with a bold idea to solve the problem. Meanwhile Sky Sports’ Brian Carney has rubbished the idea of the international game being strong and called out the ‘collective amnesia’ of fans. Sky Sports themselves also looked at a list of potential hosts with five destinations on the short list.
Matty Lees cops two game ban
Following Monday’s findings from the Match Review panel it was made clear that St Helens’ man Matty Leeds would head to tribunal to find out the result of his charge for striking with the elbow or forearm. The front-rower was hit with two games after pleading guilty and will miss a crucial tie next week.
Burgess comes out of retirement
George Burgess has made the shock decision to come out of retirement and put the boots back on. He’s linked up with Cairns Brothers in the FNQRL which is the same competition that former Saints’ man Ben Barba plays in.
Championship side land coup of ex-Super League man
London Broncos have made one of the signings of the season as they’ve announced that they have recruited Dean Whare who will join the squad immediately. The Kiwi international has formerly played for Catalans and other clubs in France but his signature for the capital’s side is a massive one.
RFL punish teams for Good Friday fan trouble
The RFL have fined two sides and warned another for fan misconduct during the Rivals Round of Super League on Good Friday, and during the Cumbrian derby on that same day. Hull KR have received a warning whilst both Barrow and Whitehaven have been hit with fines, albeit one side have had 75% of the fee suspended.
English forward joins rivals following release
Hull KR announced earlier today that they had granted forward Frankie Halton an immediate release from his contract at the player’s request and it wasn’t long until another playoff side had announced his signature. Luckily for Rovers, or perhaps ore likely an example of good planning, they’d already recruited AJ Wallace from Bradford. He will join the side from 2024 and Willie Peters had heaped praise on the Championship man.
Hull FC release Fijian forward
Kane Evans had been subject tom plenty of rumours of late but the big forward has finally parted ways with Hull FC, the club announcing that he’s left due to personal matters. That sees him return to Australia and one Aussie journalist has now claimed that FC were ‘happy to see the back of him’.
Star man reclaims Man of Steel lead
George Williams slotted the drop goal that solidified Warrington’s win over Hull KR last week and it also locked in three Man of Steel points for him. That’s seen the Wire man overtake Bevan French and top the table once again whilst the likes of Jonny Lomax and Josh Charnley have also launched a charge for the top three.
Shock sacking for coach
Keighley Cougars were invincible in League One in 2022 and have more than held their own in the Championship this year, however they’d made the shock call to part ways with young talented head coach Rhys Lovegrove.
Warrington Wolves
Exiled Super League star makes rugby league return
Warrington Wolves
Sam Burgess makes decision on future following South Sydney links
