RL News: Wakefield star set for huge transfer, Sam Tomkins calls for change and James Child speaks out

Below is a round-up of all the latest news from the world of rugby league over the last 24 hours.

Trinity star set for NRL switch

It’s being reported in Australia that Lewis Murphy is to head to the NRL for the 2024 season onwards, following in the footsteps of Will Pryce and Kai Pearce-Paul. The reports come days after Jackson Hastings warned of a mass exodus. Read more here.

RFL announce rule changes for 2023

Penalties at the scrum are to be cracked down on in the upcoming season with a recent RFL briefing revealing what officials will be looking out for, all in the name of speeding the sport up. Read more here.

Sam Tomkins call for salary cap increase

Following the reports of Lewis Murphy heading to the NRL the English rugby league fans, media, players and even former referees have jumped on the debate of the salary cap. Read more here to find out what the game’s biggest names have to say.

Matchday Squads increase to 18

Teams are set to be allowed to name an ’18th man’ who will serve strictly as a concussion substitute in the event that a player fails a HIA. With a focus on protecting players the RFL have also announced a change to the concussion protocol. Read more here.

Leeds star escaped ban with RFL explaining how

December saw the disciplinary charge system change up with lesser offences being punishable by fines instead of bans in some situations. The RFL have highlighted the success of this in pre-season including how it helped on Headingley star out. Read more here.

Last dance set for Super League legend

James Roby has given the strongest suggestion yet that 2023 will be his last season. He’s spoken claiming it “definitely” will be his last however fans may get a feeling of déjà vu when he says that with the hooker seemingly aging like Benjamin Button.  Read more here.

RFL announce just eight full-time officials

Only eight full-time match officials have been announced for the 2023 season with the RFL stating a desire to expand and develop that number. There’s also updates on officiating at all levels, read more here.

All Blacks star rumoured for rugby league return

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck had achieved almost everything in rugby league so the Kiwi star pursued a dream of representing the All Blacks. One year out and having fulfilled that dream there’s rumours he’s set for an NRL return. Read more here.

Three new faces join Match Review Panel

Former Hull FC star secures dream contract

He had a torrid time in Super League but Josh Reynolds is back at his happy place now with the Canterbury Bulldogs, and against all odds the 33-year-old has made the team’s 30-man NRL squad. Read more here.

Super League stalwart backs Shaun Wane

Andy Lynch has spoke with SARL and stated his 100% belief that Shaun Wane should carry on as England coach, whilst offering a stern warning about sacking him. Read more here.

Championship Round 1 on the horizon

With the Championship starting this weekend we’ve looked at the weekend’s fixtures and a larger look ahead at the season on the whole with a prediction. Read more about this weekend’s games here, and our season predictions here.

Women’s rugby league pyramid set for 2024

The women’s game is constantly growing and changing and as such the RFL are adapting the outlook of the game. From 2024 onwards a whole new pyramid will be created with Super League expanding to eight teams. Read more here.

Championship sides make final moves

Three teams from the second tier have been recruiting just days before the season starts with Widnes appointing three new coaches to replace one who’s Super League bound. Another team have added a player who featured in the 2022 Super League. Meanwhile another side are adding a World Cup star last minute. Read more here, here and here respectively.