Total Rugby League

THE 2019 Kingstone Press National Conference League kicks off on Saturday (23 February) with attention focusing entirely on the bottom tier. Action is taking place solely in Division Three, with the Premier Division, Division One and Division Two all swinging into action on Saturday 2 March. The spotlight this weekend will be on the three `new’ teams in the… The post NCL set for blast-off! appeared first on Total Rugby League. View the full article

Wigan might not have won the World Club Challenge on Sunday evening, but they played with pride and represented British Rugby League with dignity and commitment. In this week's League Express we report on the big game and give our reaction to it. But of course there is lots more to League Express than just the World Club Challenge. We have reports and pictures from the two Super League games played on Sunday, the seven Championship games and four games from the opening round of this season's League 1 competition. And in addition to all that, you can read about the following: Wigan Chairman Ian Lenagan says that the World Club Challenge can grow and become much bigger. Warrington Wolves go after an England World Cup rugby union star Fouad Yaha comes back to the Catalans Dragons after having dabble in rugby union with Agen Denis Betts says he's ready to resume his coaching career in Super League. London Skolars say they want to play their part in making Rugby League a big game in London. Wigan winger Liam Marshall faces up to the challenge he will face when all Wigan's outstanding four wingers are fully fit and competing for a place in the team. Tony Gigot denies reports that he's heading for the NRL. Martyn Sadler checks out some balloons that burst over the weekend. Garry Schofield selects his England fullbacks in order of preference. We have an obituary of a St Helens legend. And there is much, much more. So get out and buy your copy of League Express, either online or from the shops, to wallow in the best that Rugby League has to offer.

BRETT MORRIS scored a hat-trick of tries as Sydney Roosters beat Wigan 20-8 to win the World Club Challenge. It means the NRL champions equalled their hosts’ record tally of four triumphs in the contest. Morris crossed twice early on – Sio Siua Taukeiaho added a conversion – before the reigning Super League champions responded with a smart Tom Davies… The post Morris treble helps Roosters beat Wigan in World Club Challenge appeared first on Total Rugby League. View the full article

SYDNEY ROOSTERS might still be preparing for the new NRL season, but coach Trent Robinson says his side will be switched on for their big World Club Challenge cash at Wigan Warriors on Sunday night (7.00). Australia’s reigning champions are out to match Wigan’s record tally of four triumphs in the annual meeting of the Northern and Southern Hemisphere kingpins… The post Wigan warned: Roosters are ready for World Club Challenge bid appeared first on Total Rugby League. View the full article

Toronto Wolfpack retained their unbeaten record under Brian McDermott, while Widnes Vikings suffered their first defeat of the season as the Wolfpack prevailed 30-6 today in a ‘home’ game played at Newcastle’s Kingston Park as the second game in a double header that also involved Newcastle Thunder and Doncaster. It was an impressive performance by the Wolfpack against a team… The post Wolfpack repel Vikings challenge appeared first on Total Rugby League. View the full article

In the Championship Toulouse Olympique went behind early on to Rochdale Hornets at the Stade Ernest Argeles, when Brandon Wood touched down for a converted try. But their lead didn’t last long and Toulouse struck back to score eight tries in total at regular intervals during the game to finally get off the mark in the Championship after they suffered… The post Toulouse and Doncaster get off the mark appeared first on Total Rugby League. View the full article

GARETH WALKER of League Express looks ahead to the new Betfred League 1 season. WITH Super League and the Championship having already got their seasons underway, this weekend is the turn of Betfred League One. Eleven clubs will be vying for two promotion spots and looking at the squads that have been assembled, it seems certain to be a fascinating… The post League of their own appeared first on Total Rugby League. View the full article

SHEFFIELD EAGLES ran in three tries in the final 14 minutes as they beat Bradford Bulls 24-10 to go top of the Championship. And almost as pleasing for the South Yorkshire club was a Friday-night crowd of 1,711 at the Olympic Legacy Park. The clash swung Sheffield’s way after Bradford had James Green sent off nine minutes into the second… The post Sheffield top table after beating Bradford appeared first on Total Rugby League. View the full article

In this week’s stats bulletin, the World Club Challenge takes centre stage. All the facts and figures you need to know about Sunday’s game between the Champions of Super League and the NRL you can find below. As well as the WCC, we have your usual stats round-up of all Super League, Championship, and this week, the start of the… The post TotalRL Stats Bulletin – Week 3 appeared first on Total Rugby League. View the full article

Indigenous All Stars used their speed, with Josh Addo-Carr starring, to register a 34-14 victory over Maori All Stars. The Maori side opened up the scoring when quick play from Jahrome Hughes and Dean Whare sent in former Indigenous All Star Dane Gagai. The Indigenous side replied to take the lead through Addo-Carr. A drop out gave them the position… The post Indigenous All Stars sprint past Maori All Stars appeared first on Total Rugby League. View the full article

John Kear has warned his Bradford side of the dangers posed by red-hot Sheffield. The Eagles, who Kear famously coached to Challenge Cup success in 1998, have enjoyed a fine start to the Championship season and are one of four unbeaten sides after two rounds. Bradford have also won their opening two games following wins over Featherstone and Swinton, and… The post Kear wary of Eagles threat appeared first on Total Rugby League. View the full article

Tomorrow’s BARLA National Cup first round tie between Kells A and Bentley will not be going ahead. Bentley, who were beaten 36-0 last week by West Hull in the second round of the Corals Challenge Cup, are unable to raise a team and will not be travelling to Cumbria. Kells A will now visit Upton in the second round. Saturday… The post Bentley concede appeared first on Total Rugby League. View the full article

Castleford Tigers have handed back-rower Chris Clarkson a short-term deal following a successful trial. Clarkson had been without a club following his release from Hull KR, but has earned a deal until the end of the season having joined the Tigers on loan last month. “I’m obviously very pleased to sign with the Tigers. It’s been a rough four or… The post Clarkson lands Tigers deal following trial appeared first on Total Rugby League. View the full article

Few – if any – clubs have endured a rollercoaster decade quite like Newcastle Thunder. From the highs of promotion out of League 1 in 2008, to the financial crisis which engulfed the Thunder – then, of course, known as Gateshead – a year or so later, to the long, arduous task of rebuilding the club in the third-tier: which… The post Payne confident new-look Newcastle can handle favourites tag in League 1 this season appeared first on Total Rugby League. View the full article

The Rugby Football League is moving its HQ from Leeds to Manchester in time for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. So you may think it might have been a good time to establish a semi-professional club in the city to carry the Manchester name. If so, think again. MARTYN SADLER, the editor of League Express, speaks to PHIL FITTON… The post Rugby League’s lost opportunity appeared first on Total Rugby League. View the full article