Man of Kent

I’ve been playing touch during lockdown (now banned with Tier 4, of course) but it’s somewhat unsatisfactory because it doesn’t really reward evasive running. It’s all about rucking up the pitch and interplay between middles. Tag seems to be a better trade-off between non-contact and proper RL. I’d love to try it!

I always recommend Bunnahabhain if you’re looking for a non-extravagant-but-bloody-good single malt, particularly if you prefer Islay whisky that doesn’t taste like a chimney sweep’s overalls. Can usually find it for around £30. https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/bunnahabhain-12-year-old/648948-152903-152904

Herbie Farnworth added to the England EPS. If you’ve got Watch NRL, don’t miss the Matt Nable promo for Titans-Raiders on today’s NRL360. About 30 mins in. All about John Bateman. And Yorkshire...

I heard an Aussie journo compare John Bateman to Shane Warne after the Raiders-Broncos game because the fear his unpredictability instils in opposition defences gives him a psychological edge. Might be overegging the pudding a touche but they love him down there.

Agreed. He’s done.

Half an England team right there. Not Ryan Hall obvs. He's s**t

James Graham admitted he’s lucky to be starting on Monday after his performance against the NZ Warriors. How long before we say he’s done?

Agreed. Looks a bit like a marathon runner in a sprint race.

Google is your friend with this one, mate

Super League Pod has produced a Brits in the NRL special. Decent listen.

No Bateman until ‘round seven or eight’ https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/02/27/bateman-hit-for-six-after-shoulder-surgery/ Meanwhile George Williams is to play alongside Jack Wighton in the halves in Saturday’s friendly against Canterbury

Was Giggs any good? What position did he play? And did Denis Betts always sound like that?

https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/10/02/dally-m-awards-2019-best-of-the-best/

Yes.

A liability. Not just against the Knights either. Fair to say Watkins has been a Sarginson-level flop at Gold Coast so far.

Yeah but he played there in a World Cup final so I'm going with it ?

We’re now just a FB and 5/8 from a bona fide ‘Brits in the NRL’ XIII (ie not having to put George Burgess, Chris McQueen etc in and out of position to make up the numbers) ? Farnworth Watkins Bateman Hall ? Widdop Graham Hodgson Tom Whitehead Sam Sutton George Williams is apparently joining Canberra and Jack Walker was on the NRL radar last year let alone now, so those gaps may be filled quite soon. It begs questions about England/GB Tests and whether we should be playing Down Under each year during the international window at the very least.

The best song about a Volkswagen dealership in 1970s Zaire you’ll hear this week, I reckon

John Bateman and Ryan Sutton score their first NRL tries vs Brisbane in a 26-22 win. Two assists for Bateman as well. Worth seeking out his offload for Joey Leilua. Sheer class.

Bateman was immense

And then some. Why exactly is that? Are they tougher than the sun-softened Aussie counterparts? ?

Wakefield are getting a new ground anyway. It’s going to be called Belle Vue and located in Agbrigg. One of the stands might even have a roof. No doubt they will charge a shilling to enter!

Manchester.

Just the sort of things to donate to the new RL museum which opens in Bradford in 2020... brigid.power@rlcares.org.uk