Tuesday, May 13

9.50am - The RFL are investigating a claim that Hull fielded an ineligible player in their Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth-round win over Widnes.

Hull re-signed prop forward Jamie Thackray from Leeds on March 27, more than three weeks after the initial Cup deadline, and he played in their 32-18 victory over the Vikings on Sunday.

"We are aware of the issue and are looking into it," confirmed RFL spokesman Craig Spence. A Hull spokesman said the club had no comment at this stage but Widnes admitted they would be delighted to take Hull's place in the next round.

9.03am - Wigan Warriors coach Brian Noble reckons Leeds Rhinos won't be relishing the sides' Carnegie Challenge Cup quarter-final clash.

Wigan won at Leeds in last year's competition and are one of only two sides to beat the Rhinos so far this year.

"They'll be very, very wary of us going there," said Noble. "It's the tie of the round and we're looking forward to it."

6.58am - Dewsbury Rams are searching for a new coach after parting company with long-serving boss Andy Kelly.

Kelly has left the club "by mutual consent" in the wake of Rams' 58-12 home defeat by Division Two side Oldham in the Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth round two days ago.


Monday, May 12

1.40pm - Warrington Wolves' utility-back Paul Johnson will miss the rest of the season after it was confirmed today that he will need a full cruciate knee ligament reconstruction.

Johnson was injured during the second-half of Warrington's 40-34 Carnegie Challenge Cup defeat at St Helens two days ago.

Full-back Stuart Reardon is facing a similar lay-off after suffering an Achilles injury in the same game.


12.58pm - Widnes Vikings have ruled out making an approach to sprinter Dwain Chambers, who failed to win a contract after a month-long trial with Castleford Tigers.

Chambers' agent Ron Hill says other clubs have expressed an interest in giving a chance to Chambers, who wants to carve out a rugby career while contemplating his future in athletics.

"I'm still talking to a few people - in union and league - and, if it happens, it will happen this week," said Hill.

10.07am - Dual-code Australia international Wendell Sailor will return to rugby league after agreeing a deal with St George Illawarra Dragons.

The 33-year-old winger is now free to play again after serving a two-year ban for taking cocaine.

7.45am - Coach Brian McClennan has hailed Great Britain captain Jamie Peacock after his late try helped Leeds Rhinos into tonight's Carnegie Challenge Cup quarter-final draw.

"Jamie Peacock was immense for us," said a relieved McClennan, who saw Rhinos win 36-26 at Harlequins after trailing with four minutes left.

"For such a big guy, he did very well in the heat to stay on the pitch for the whole match and showed a lot of guts."

Friday, May 9

Huddersfield centre Jamal Lolesi will lose his ever-present record this season after he failed to overturn a two-match ban.

The former New Zealand international was handed the suspension, along with a £300 fine, for using foul and abusive language during the Giants' 36-34 defeat by Warrington in the opening match of the Millennium Magic event in Cardiff.

Although Lolesi admitted the offence, Huddersfield contested the severity but the appeal has been rejected

Wednesday, May 7


11.43am - Michael Dobson has revealed he chose Hull KR over two other Super League sides following the confirmation of his switch from Canberra.

The scrum-half is to join the Robins on a two-and-a-half-year deal but has admitted that he had to resist the advances of his former club Wigan and Rovers' city rivals Hull FC in order to move to Craven Park.

10.22am - Centre Andrew Bostock scored a hat-trick of tries but ended up on the losing side as bottom of the table Dewsbury went down 29-22 at home to Widnes in the Co-operative National League One.


Tuesday, May 6
2.50pm - Disgraced sprinter Dwain Chambers has fialed in his bid to win a contract with engage Super League strugglers Castleford Tigers.


Friday, May 2

1.11pm - Leeds and Wigan expressed their disappointment after being told they must release players to New Zealand for next week's centenary Test in Sydney.

The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) today ruled that Leeds full-back Brent Webb and Wigan scrum-half Thomas Leuluai must be allowed to play for the Kiwis against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground a week today.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said: "We will abide by the ruling but we are very disappointed with the way the whole thing has been managed, by New Zealand in particular, and by the International Board.

"It is ridiculous to place such demands on players. They should not be put in this position."


10.17am - Leeds Rhinos Academy were crushed 68-14 by Castleford Tigers at Stanningley last night.

Ethan Phillips, Jordan Wells and Jack Ely crossed for Rhinos and try scorers for Tigers were Jamie Cording (2), Dale Turner (2), Shane Tasker-Howard (2), Joe Arundel, Josh Atkinson, Jordan Thompson, Oliver Holmes, Gareth Swift and Jonathan Walker.


7.55am - Bradford Bulls coach Steve McNamara has played down talk of revenge ahead of tomorrow's Millennium Magic rematch with Leeds Rhinos.

Bulls suffered a controversial last-gasp defeat 12 months ago, but McNamara insisted: "Last year's game is not in our thoughts at all.

"We were part of some drama that will be talked about for many years and will go down in the annals of the game, but as far as we are concerned that's gone and we are just focusing on the two points."

Thursday, May 1

3.20pm - Hull's former Castleford full-back Motu Tony is facing a lay-off of up to three months after scans revealed he has ligament damage in his knee.

Tony's role against Hull KR at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday will be taken by Todd Byrne, who switches from the right wing, with former Australian international Matt Sing returning after a four-match injury absence.

2.28 - Wigan say they will agree to a request from star player Trent Barrett to be released from the final year of his contract.

Barrett, 30, who was a strong contender for Super League Man of Steel in his first season at the JJB Stadium, is less than halfway through a three-year contract but plans to cut short his stay because his pregnant wife Kylie is homesick.

9.07am - Former Wigan centre David Vaealiki has been released by Manly Sea Eagles to enable him to take up the offer of a two-year contract with a French rugby union club.

The ex-New Zealand international returned to the National Rugby League in the winter after three seasons with Wigan, but has played just two games for the Sea Eagles.

Wednesday, April 30

10.15am - Wakefield prop forward Ricky Bibey will miss the Wildcats' clash with Super League neighbours Castleford at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday because of suspension.

The former Wigan and St Helens player was found guilty of striking Harlequins hooker Chad Randall with his forearm during his side's 24-20 win over the Londoners on Saturday.

Bibey was handed a two-match ban and fined £300 when he appeared before the Rugby Football League's disciplinary panel.
Tuesday, April 29

3.16pm - Mirfield official Richard Silverwood will take charge of Saturday's Millennium Magic showdown between Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls in Cardiff.

Ian Smith, of Oldham, will referee Castleford Tigers' derby against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

12.16pm - Wigan Warriors have ended speculation over the future of coach Brian Noble by announcing a new deal which will keep the former Great Britain boss at the JJB Stadium for the foreseeable future.

Noble, the former Bradford coach who joined the Warriors in April 2006, was out of contract at the end of the season and had been linked with moves to Australia and France, but he has now signed a new 18-month contract with an option for a further year.

"Brian and I shook hands on a deal two weeks ago following five months of working together and planning for Wigan's future squad,"said Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan.

9.46am - Prop Adam Watene could return to action for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats against Castleford Tigers at Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Watene - who has missed the last three games - is due back in this country tomorrow after returning to his native New Zealand following the death of his father.

Monday, April 28

2.04pm - Wakefield Trinity Wildcats prop Ricky Bibey will appear before the RFL disciplinary committee tomorrow charged with using a forearm on an opponent during Saturday's 24-20 win over Harlequins.

A ban would see him miss this weekend's Millennium Magic clash with Castleford Tigers. Also facing charges are Wigan second-rower Gareth Hock (striking and a separate charge of punching) and hooker Jon Clarke (striking with his forearm).

12.19pm - Leeds Rhinos' Aussie partner club South Sydney have stripped New Zealand Test forward David Kidwell of the joint captaincy and dropped four of his team-mates for the next match after they all failed a breath test in training.

Kidwell, a former player with Warrington, failed to register a zero breath-alcohol limit at the team's recovery session last Saturday, as did Eddie Paea, Jaiman Lowe, Fetuli Talanoa and Ben Rogers, who were all axed for this weekend's game against North Queensland.

11.15am - Wigan coach Brian Noble has thrown his hat into the ring for the vacancy at Catalans Dragons, according to the Perpignan club's chairman.

Bernard Guasch has revealed the former Great Britain boss, who is out of contract at the JJB Stadium at the end of the season, is among around 20 applicants hoping to succeed Mick Potter in the south of France for 2009.


8.37am - Leeds Rhinos have signed French international centre/back-row Eric Anselme, 29, on loan from French club Albi.

Friday, April 25

9.54am - Off-season signing Damien Blanch could make his long-awaited Wakefield Trinity Wildcats debut at home to Harlequins tomorrow.

Blanch has recovered from a shoulder injury and is included in Wildcats' 19-man squad. Coach John Kear said he is fully fit and has a "very good chance" of playing.


Thursday, April 24

2.40pm - Leeds Rhinos' Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth round tie at Harlequins will be played on Sunday, May 11 (3pm).

11.30pm - Coach Brian McClennan is looking for an improvement from his Leeds Rhinos side at Hull KR tomorrow.

"We want to keep building our performances and get in to some form," said McClennan. "We have flattened off since Easter and we have recognised that we need to ramp things up a bit in training and in our games. Week one of that process started this week in training and hopefully we can continue that through to our games."


8.50am - Castleford Tigers have completed the signing of 21-year-old forward Brendan Hlad from the Penrith Panthers. And, subject to work permit approval, have also agreed a deal to take former Wakefield prop Ned Catic to the Jungle. Both have signed for the rest of the current season.

Wednesday, April 23

12.45pm - Former Wakefield Trinity and Wigan Warriors star Henry Paul has switched codees again after agreeing to join relegated Leeds Carnegie from Harlequins RL.


Tuesday, April 22

12.40pm - Huddersfield Giants hooker George Gatis has left the club and returned home to Australia for family reasons.

The 29-year-old, who joined Giants from New Zealand Warriors on a two-year deal in the off-season, said: "I have loved my time here at Huddersfield, but my family need me at home right now. I had hoped to get through the year but it's not to be and I would like to thank the club for their understanding and the help they have provided me."

11.46am - St Helens have appointed Catalan Dragons coach Mick Potter as their successor to Daniel Anderson.

The 44-year-old Australian will see out his current contract with the Perpignan club before taking up a two-year deal with the Challenge Cup holders in 2009.

9.50am - World Champions Leeds Rhinos have been given a major boost with the news that prop Ryan Bailey, 24, has agreed a new two and half year contract with the club.

Bailey would have been out of contract at the end of the current campaign, his seventh season in the first team squad. However, his new deal will see him through until the end of the 2010 Super League season at least.

7.07am - Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' in-form scrum-half Danny Brough insists he has no regrets about opting to play for Scotland in this year's World Cup.

Brough's club coach John Kear has hailed him as one of the top scrum-halves in engage Super League, but he is ineligible to play for England in this autumn's tournament.

Brough said: "Scotland were the first country that came in for me. I've had four great years with them and I'm looking forward to going to Australia. It's a great set of lads and I'm proud to play for Scotland."

Monday, April 21

7.10am - Boss John Kear has hailed his injury-hit Wakefield Trinity Wildcats side for another impressive display in yesterday's 38-8 Carnegie Challenge Cup win at Salford City Reds.

Kear said: "Out of a squad of 29, we had just 16 fit full-time players, but those we did have available played really well. It was a very satisfying win and a pretty good performance in trying and testing circumstances."

Friday, April 18

3.30pm - Next month's Millennium Magic weekend is set to attract a big crowd than the first event last year.

All six engage Super League round 13 fixtures will be staged at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on May 3 and 4.

RFL marketing manager Phil Williams said: "Tickets are selling well for what is one of the biggest and best events in the sporting calendar. We're ahead of where we were at this stage last year in terms of ticket sales and our box office are reporting a big increase in the demand for tickets."


11.07 - Former Great Britain coach Brian Noble has revealed for the first time that he has opened contract talks at Wigan.

Noble is out of contract this year and his future has been the subject of conjecture since Ian Lenagan succeeded Maurice Lindsay as Wigan chairman last autumn.

But Noble, who has been linked with a move to Australia, said:
"You've got to have pretty serious reasons to want to leave a club of Wigan's stature," he said.

"I think we've made pretty good progress and there are really good things happening at club. When you are building a bridge it would be nice to see it painted."

9.22am - Celtic Crusaders coach John Dixon sees tonight's Carengie Challenge Cup fourth round tie at Leeds Rhinos as chance to prove his club's Super League credentials.

Celtic have applied for a Super League licence and Dixon said: "Every game is important to us, but the chance to test ourselves against the World Champions is a marvellous opportunity.

"Leeds are the kind of team that we want to play every week and that the Welsh public will want to see us face every week. This game will give us a chance to see how far we've come over the last two years, we will respect Leeds as a side but we won't be in awe of them - it's 13 v 13 like any other game."


Thursday, April 17

12.17pm - Castleford Tigers are hoping to arrange a reserve grade friendly against York City Knights in 10 days' time, to give trialist Dwain Chambers chance to play his first game of rugby league.

9.51am - Catalans Dragons coach Mick Potter has confirmed he is in talks with St Helens about succeeding fellow Australian Daniel Anderson.

Saints are now favourites to win a tug of war for the 44-year-old Potter, who has been offered a new two-year contract by the Perpignan club after guiding them to third place in the engage Super League.

Wednesday, April 16

1.17pm - Leeds Rhinos have called up four youngsters for Friday's Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round tie with Celtic Crusaders due to injury concerns over 11 members of their first team squad.

Danny Allan, Ben Jones-Bishop and Joe Chandler, who are all 19, and 17-year-old Kallum Watkins have all been named in coach Brian McClennan's initial 19-man squad.


10.41am - Bradford Bulls captain Paul Deacon has signed a new two-year contract that will keep him at the Grattan Stadium until the end of the 2010 season.
The 29-year-old Wigan-born scrum-half, who is now in his testimonial season, holds two club records with 1,002 goals and 2,306 points in 292 appearances since joining the Bulls from Oldham in 1998.

Tuesday, April 15

2.50pm - Phil Bentham will referee Leeds Rhinos' Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round tie against Celtic Crusaders on Friday.

Richard Silverwood will be in the middle for Castleford Tigers' tie at Harlequins on Saturday and Ashley Klein will take control of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' fixture at Salford City Reds.

12.40pm - St Helens full-back Paul Wellens will be out for up to three weeks with a quad injury, but hooker Keiron Cunningham will be back for Sunday's Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round tie against London Skolars.

10.31am - Co-captain Awen Guttenbeil and influential backs Luke Dorn and Ryan McGoldrick could miss Castleford Tigers' Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round tie at Harlequins on Saturday.

Guttenbeil and Huby both picked up rib cartilage injuries in the home loss to Hull four days ago, a game which McGoldrick sat out.

Cas coach Terry Matterson said: "Awen and Luke will both be out for at least two weeks. Ryan's been carrying a few injuries and I hope that weekend off will freshen him up, but he's going to be doubtful for Saturday."

7.02am - Catalans Dragons boss Mick Potter, touted as the next St Helens coach, is close to signing a new contract with the Perpignan club.

Potter, who has guided the Catalans to third place in engage Super League on the back of a club record six-match unbeaten run, is thought to be on the shortlist of candidates to succeed Daniel Anderson at Knowsley Road.

But the Dragons are keen to retain the services of their Australian coach and chairman Bernard Guasch held talks at the weekend following the club's 26-24 win at Wigan.

Monday, April 14

2.45pm - Nineteen-year-old Wakefield Trinity Wildcats winger Aaron Murphy will be sidelined for around four weeks after breaking a thumb in Saturday's 18-16 win over Huddersfield Giants.

1.25pm - Hull KR forward Clint Newton will appear before the Rugby Football League's disciplinary panel tomorrow charged with making a dangerous tackle during his side's 20-18 win over Bradford Bulls yesterday.

12.55pm - Wigan will be without hooker Michael McIlorum for around six weeks after it was revealed he damaged his medial knee ligament in the 26-24 engage Super League defeat by Catalans Dragons on Friday.

The 19-year-old, who sustained the injury in the closing stages of the match, has appeared in all 11 of the Warriors' games so far this year and started the last four ahead of the more experienced Mickey Higham.

10.34am - Leeds Rhinos have 12 players on their injury list ahead of Friday's Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round tie at home to Celtic Crusaders.

Clinton Toopi (shoulder), Ian Kirke (hamstring), Danny McGuire (quad), Simon Worrall (shoulder), Ali Lauitiiti (knee), Jamie Jones-Buchanan (shoulder) and Ashley Gibson (hamstring) all missed last Friday's win over Warrington, when Gareth Ellis (ankle), Ryan Bailey (knee), Matt Diskin (foot), Carl Ablett (hamstring) and Nick Scruton (shoulder) picked up knocks.

7.07am - Bradford Bulls boss Steve McNamara is fuming after the 20-18 defeat at Hull KR which left his side fifth in engage Super League, six points adrift of leaders Leeds Rhinos.

McNamara said: "We're very disappointed. We have missed an opportunity and we are feeling pretty sore about it. We lacked in a lot of areas. Hull KR ran harder than us and tackled harder in the 80 minutes and that's what happens."

Friday, April 11

7.27pm - Scrum-half Simon Brown scored a try and nine goals in Rhinos reserves' 66-0 win over Warrington tonight.

Ben Collins and Joe Howey both crossed twice and other try scorers were Ryan Hall, Jodie Broughton, Kallum Watkins, Danny Allan, Joe Chandler, Paul McShane and Liam Brown.

3.43pm - Huddersfield Giants prop Darrell Griffin can't wait to get to grips with his former club Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at Galpharm Stadium tomorrow.

Griffin - whose younger brother Josh is included in Wildcats' 19-man squad - said: "It's always a great atmosphere against Wakefield and there is added spice for me. The Wakey fans always single me out for some stick and I still know a fair few of their players so there will be some extra banter on the field."

11.34am - Hull's former Castleford forward Willie Manu is relishing his first return to the Jungle tonight.

Manu, who played for Tigers in 2006, said: "I think you always enjoy playing against your old club. Friday is a chance to catch up with them although my first priority is to do well, play well and help Hull FC to a much needed victory.

"It is a game I certainly want to do well in because it is a game we desperately need to win. Obviously, they are just as desperate for a win as we are and they have shown this season that you can't underestimate them."

8.39am - Featherstone Rovers' home Northern Rail Cup quarter-final against Salford City Reds will be broadcast live on Sky TV on Thursday,
May 22.

Also in the last eight, Batley will be at home to Oldham and other ties see Widnes Vikings visit Celtic Crusaders and Rochdale host Doncaster.

Thursday, April 10

7.03pm - Youngsters Kyle Bibb, Aaron Murphy, Kyle Wood, Jay Pitts and Josh Griffin have been drafted into Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' squad for Saturday's Super League game at Huddersfield Giants.

Prop Adam Watene has returned home to New Zealand following a family bereavement and will be unavailable for several weeks.

2.23pm - Former St Helens stand-off Tommy Martyn has joined the coaching staff of Super League neighbours Warrington.

The 36-year-old ex-Ireland international has been working as a kicking coach for the Wolves' academy players on a trial period for the last month and will now link up with the club permanently on a part-time basis.

1.41pm - Team spirit could give Batley Bulldogs a winning edge in tonight's derby at Dewsbury Rams, coach Gary Thornton believes.

He said: "Our performance will improve, but you can't coach spirit, character and pride - that comes from within the individual. We showed plenty of those qualities at Barrow last week."


12.01pm - Dewsbury Rams boss Andy Kelly has urged his team to regain their confidence in tonight's televised Co-op National One clash with visitors Batley Bulldogs.

Rams have yet to win in the league this season and Kelly said: "I know the players have got it within themselves, they've just got to drag it out and start to play with a bit more confidence."

10.39am - Last Saturday's clash between Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors was watched by engage Super League's biggest Sky TV audience of the year.

A peak audience of 429,000 watched the game and Paul Kimberley, the RFL's commercial director said: "To attract a peak audience of close to half a million people is an excellent result as the game went head-to-head with the first episode of the new Dr Who series on BBC One."

7.08am - Crowds in engage Super League are up by 2.6 per cent so far this season, the RFL have revealed.

After 10 rounds, the average weekly crowd is 10,226, compared to 9,969 at the same stage in 2007.

Tuesday, April 8

1.36pm - Doncaster's former Leeds Rhinos Academy stand-off Kyle Briggs has been named Co-operative National League Two player of the month for March.

Briggs, who started the year on loan at Hunslet before sealing a permanent move to the Keepmoat Stadium, has been described as "a real gem" by his coach Ellery Hanley.

10.30am - Leeds Rhinos will be without six first team squad members against Warrington Wolves on Friday.

Ali Lauitiiti (knee) and Simon Worrall (shoulder) are ruled out after being hurt agianst Wigan three days ago, Clinton Toopi (shoulder) is on the long-term casualty list and coach Brian McClennan said Danny McGuire (quad), Jamie Jones-Buchanan (shoulder) and Ian Kirke (hamstring) are not yet ready to return.

7.03am - Former Castelford player Darren Shaw has resigned as football manager at National League One side Leigh due to personal reasons. His last match in charge was a 36-10 Northern Rail Cup defeat at Featherstone Rovers two days ago.

Monday, April 7

2.32pm - Warrington Wolves skipper Adrian Morley and forward Ben Westwood are both in danger of missing Friday's trip to Leeds Rhinos.

Morley will appear before the RFL disciplinary committee tomorrow after being cited for a careless high tackle in Sunday's defeat at Wakefield. Westwood has been charged with a reckless high tackle after being sent-off in the same game.

Also due to appear are Wigan Warriors hooker Mike McIlorum, charged with a careless high tackle against Leeds on Saturday, and St Helens prop Maurie Fa'asavalu, sent-off for running into a melee and striking Castleford forward Craig Huby during Sunday's clash at the Jungle.

1.57pm - Hull hope to have Australian half-back Adam Dykes - who has been suffering with a virus and a neck injury - back for Friday's trip to Castleford Tigers.

Great Britain half-back Richard Horne is undergoing tests on a serious neck injury suffered in Friday night's engage Super League game against Bradford Bulls.

12.40pm - Hull's goalkicking forward Danny Tickle has signed a new two-year contract which will keep him at the KC Stadium until the end of the 2010 season.

The former Halifax back-rower, who turns 25 tomorrow, has scored 294 points in 40 appearances since joining Hull from Wigan two years ago and was their player of the year last season.

10.51am - Two more players have joined Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' crippling injury list.

Centre/second-row Kevin Henderson suffered a suspected broken leg in yesterday's 16-2 win over Warrington Wolves and medical staff were today also checking on full-back Matt Blaymire (ankle).

8.52am - Sprinter Dwain Chambers was impressed by Castleford Tigers' dramatic 30-24 win over St Helens at the Jungle yesterday.

Chambers, who is having a trial with Tigers, said: "It was a cracking game, there was a good vibe and it was a great way to experience my first game of live rugby.

"We got a win and I can't ask for any more than that. The atmosphere was great, despite the weather, and the guys stood their ground and fought hard."

Friday, April 4

1.53pm - Sky-televised matches attracted an average of 184,000 viewers during the opening six rounds of engage Super League XIII, 49 per cent more than the average achieved by games in rugby union's Guinness Premiership over the same period.

The biggest audience was almost 230,000 viewers, for Castleford Tigers' shock win over Leeds Rhinos in round five.

12.09pm - England coach Tony Smith has called on engage Super League coaches and players to play their part in helping to reduce the number of penalties being awarded this season.

The RFL have produced statistics to show that the average penalty count of 17 per game after nine rounds of Super League is exactly the same as it was at the same stage last year, but Smith admits the figure needs to be reduced.

Smith said: "We'd all like to see the penalty count come down. To achieve this we've all got a part to play - match officials, coaches and players alike."

9.50am - Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are confident their bid for a Super League licence will get the green light.

General manager Francis Stephenson said: "From working on the bid, what became apparent is that we already exceed expectations in many areas and contribute much to the success of the Super League competition."

7.44am - Scott Dyson has announced he is to step down as player/coach of National Conference amateurs Thornhill Trojans to take up a new role on the coaching staff at Co-op National One side Dewsbury Rams.

Thursday, April 3

11.32am - Castleford Tigers prop Mark Leafa is facing an eight-week lay-off after fracturing an arm in last weekend's defeat at Bradford Bulls, coach Terry Matterson confirmed today.

Matterson is hopeful Awen Guttenbeil will be back from injury when Tigers host St Helens on Sunday, but Stuart Donlan, Michael Shenton and Scott Moore are expected to remain on the casualty list.

7.41am - Hull KR have unveiled plans for a £6million redevelopment of their Craven Park ground.

The club want to build a new North Stand to provide more than 2,500 seats, a 470-seater restaurant, corporate hospitality facilities and learning centre.

With an extension already added to the East Stand, the ground capacity is set to increase to around 10,000 next month and, if the latest plans approved, the capacity will be increased to 12,000 for 2009 and to more than 14,000 by 2010.

Wednesday, April 2

3.09pm - Hull forward Willie Manu has agreed a new two-year contract with the KC Stadium club. The 28-year-old Tonga international joined Hull from Castleford in 2007 and will now stay with the Black and Whites until at least 2010.

12.18pm - Leeds Rhinos are cracking down on yobbish behaviour at Headingley Carnegie following incidents at the club's last home match against Bradford Bulls.

Some of the measures to be implemented include; CCTV cameras being installed throughout the ground, all incidents of anti-social behaviour immediately reported to the police and a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of anti-social behaviour.

5.56pm - St Helens-based Steve Ganson will referee Leeds Rhinos' Super League clash with visitors Wigan Warriors on Saturday.

Phil Bentham (Warrington) will take charge of Castleford Tigers v St Helens, with Ashley Klein (Keighley) in the middle for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' visit of Warrington Wolves.

3.05pm - The RFL today confirmed all 12 current engage Super League clubs have applied for a licence from 2009.

Other applicants are French outfit Toulouse and Co-op National League clubs Widnes Vikings, Salford City Reds, Leigh Centurions, Featherstone Rovers, Halifax and Celtic Crusaders. A decision will be made in July.

10.02am - All six games at next month's Millennium Magic in Cardiff will have the benefit of a video referee.

The move follows feedback from fans attending the inaugural event last year when only the four engage Super League matches televised live had a fourth official. This year's round 13 fixtures will be played at the Millennium Stadium on May 3 and 4.

7.02am - Former Leeds and Great Britain hero Garry Schofield has called on the Rugby Football League to do a U-turn and stop Dwain Chambers from competing in the engage Super League.

Schofield described Castleford Tigers' signing of the athlete as "an embarrassment to our game".

Monday, March 31

1.19pm - Paul King has become the latest player to join Hull' s injury list after breaking a bone in his foot.

The 28-year-old suffered the injury during his side's 28-28 draw against Catalans on Sunday and joins Garreth Carvell, Ewan Dowes, Adam Dykes, Matt Sing and Richard Whiting on the casualty list. Captain Lee Radford will undergo tests this week on a rib injury.

8.50am - Great Britain stand-off Danny McGuire will miss Leeds Rhinos' home clash with Wigan Warriors on Saturday after suffering a quad injury in the win at St Helens three days ago.

Forward Jamie Jones-Buchanan (shoulder) is also in doubt, but winger Lee Smith and centre/second-row Carl Ablett could both return.

Friday, March 28

1.08pm - Dewsbury coach Andy Kelly has hit out at the RFL's "confusing" disciplinary system after Rams player Jake Wilson was banned for one game and fined £100 for a dangerous throw.

9.24am - Hunslet Hawks have signed winger Neil Wall from amateur club Bradford Dudley Hill. He could make his debut in Sunday's Co-op National Two fixture at Gateshead Thunder.

7.47am - Centre Ryan Atkins has passed a fitness test on an ankle injury and is expected to return for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats away to Wigan Warriors tonight.

Danny Brough, Sam Obst, Brett Ferres, Paul Reilly, Brad Drew and Damien Blanch are all on Wildcats' casualty list.

Thursday, March 27

5.25pm - Coach Jon Sharp has spoken of his delight after signing a 12-month contract extension which will keep him at Huddersfield Giants until the end of 2009.

Sharp was appointed in August 2003 and is the second longest-serving coach in Super League, after Warrington's Paul Cullen.

He said: "I'm very happy here and can see the real progress we have made. It's been a fantastic journey since the day I first took over amd I believe we have now started to earn the respect of the whole rugby league world."

2.13pm - Australian winger Adam Fletcher has signed a contract keeping him at Castleford Tigers until the end of the season.

Fletcher played for Tigers in 2006 and returned to the club last month, on a trial basis.

He said: "I'm pleased that this has been sorted and happy to be staying with the Tigers for the rest of the season. I enjoy it here and, as I said when I came over earlier in the season, probably shouldn't have left after my first stint."


11.54am - Leeds Rhinos' clash with St Helens at Knowsley Road tomorrow is no longer all-ticket and fans will be able to play on the night at the turnstiles.

9.27am - Hull have confirmed the re-signing of former Great Britain prop Jamie Thackray following his release by Leeds.

The 28-year-old front rower, a member of Hull's 2005 Challenge Cup-winning team, has rejoined the club till the end of the season and went straight into coach Peter Sharp's squad that set off this morning to France to prepare for Saturday's Super League match against Les Catalans Dragons.

7.03am - Former Great Britain prop Jamie Thackray is set to rejoin Hull after being released by Leeds Rhinos yesterday.

Tuesday, March 25

8.15pm - Bradford Bulls hooker Terry Newton will appear before the RFL disciplinary committee tomorrow charged with an "alleged strike with forearm" in last Thursday's defeat at Leeds Rhinos.

Other players due to appear are Hull's Paul King (alleged high tackle v Hull KR), Warrington Wolves' Louis Anderson (alleged strike with forearm v Huddersfield Giants), Huddersfield's Luke Robinson (alleged trip v Warrington), Harlequins' Danny Ward (alleged high tackle v Bradford), St Helens' Jon Wilkin (alleged trip v Huddersfield), Wigan Warriors' Darrell Goulding (alleged trip v Hull KR) and Hull KR's Stanley Gene (alleged high tackle v Wigan).

10.45am - St Helens coach Daniel Anderson admits his side will have their work cut out in Friday's Grand Final rematch with Leeds Rhinos.

Saints suffered a shock defeat at Huddersfield Giants yesterday and Anderson said: "Leeds are obviously very hot at the moment, but we'll have a good crack on Friday."

8.55am - Injured duo Danny Brough and Jason Golden have been cleared to fly home with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats after being hurt in yesterday's 28-20 defeat by Les Catalans Dragons in Perpignan.

Brough suffered a dead leg, while Golden needed hospital treatment for concussion.

Friday, March 21

9.16pm - Batley Bulldogs suffered an agonising 28-23 home defeat to Widnes Vikings in Co-op National One.

Bulldogs looked to be heading for a shock win when Francis Maloney landed a 79th minute goal to edge them 23-22 ahead, but Shane Grady's last-gasp try snatched the game from the fire for Widnes.

Newly-promoted Featherstone Rovers crushed visitors Whitehaven 28-6, but Hunslet Hawks were beaten 26-0 at home by Keighley Cougars in National Two.

8.07pm - Dewsbury Rams' Co-op National One campaign got off to a disappointing start as they were beaten 14-12 at newly-promoted Celtic Crusaders.

7.29am - Super League leaders Leeds Rhinos hope to have Danny McGuire (shoulder), Carl Ablett (hamstring) and Ryan Bailey (groin) back from injury for Monday's trip to Hull.

Thursday, March 20
4.28pm - Bradford Bulls are offering a 20 per cent discount to fans who buy tickets in advance for both the Easter Monday visit of Harlequins and the home clash with Castleford Tigers six days later.

2.56pm - England coach Tony Smith has welcomed the decision to stage a mid-season World Cup warm-up against France in Toulouse on Friday, June 27.

Smith said: "The match will be a significant challenge for our team and a great opportunity to renew a great historical rivalry between the two nations. It will also provide us with a valuable opportunity to play together before the Rugby League World Cup tournament and become accustomed to the type of travelling we will experience in Australia next autumn."


12.41pm - Bradford Bulls have climbed to the top of the Frontline Fair Play Index after conceding 11 points during their engage Super League round six victory over Warrington Wolves.

Leeds Rhinos were the fairest team of the round, conceding just six points against last year's winners Harlequins. Wakefield Trinity Wildcats star Tevita Leo-Latu received a three match ban for a reckless high tackle which contributed to the Wildcats conceding a round high 30 points, which dropped them from first to seventh on the fair play table.

11am - TV star Keith Chegwin will host the pre-match entertainment package at engage Super League's Millennium Magic 2008.

An RFL spokesman said Chegwin will host games involving mascots from all 12 clubs and will also introduce the house band, who will perform sets featuring covers of songs from the 1960s to recent chart hits.


10.01am - Wakefield Trinity Wildcats winger/full-back Paul Reilly (neck injury) will miss tomorrow's Belle Vue derby against Castleford Tigers.

The suspended Tevita Leo-Latu also drops out from the side on duty in last weekend's defeat at Hull, but Jamie Rooney, Tony Martin, Jason Demetriou and Sam Obst are all back in contention after injury.

Scott Moore and Michael Wainwright drop out of Tigers' squad due to injury, with Anthony Thackeray, Ryan Boyle, Richard Owen and Adam Fletcher all coming into the reckoning.

Wednesday March 19

1.46pm - Hull FC have agreed a club record three-year extension to their current sponsorship deal with P&O Ferries.

The new agreement, thought to be worth in the region of £1million, will start at the end of the season and run to the end of 2011.

11.55am - Leeds Rhinos have copped a major injury blow after influential centre Clinton Toopi was ruled out for five months – longer than had initially been expected.

Tuesday, March 18

1.23pm - Bradford Bulls have recalled prop forward Craig Kopczak from his loan spell at Halifax in response to their injury crisis.

Bulls could be without six regulars for Thursday night's derby with champions Leeds at Headingley, the first of 12 Super League matches in five days over the Easter period, after Great Britain centre Paul Sykes and New Zealand winger Tame Tupou joined the casualty list.

11.46am - Young York City Knights stand-off Danny Ratcliffe is the latest Northern Rail Cup player of the round following his try in the final moments of Sunday's game against Batley Bulldogs which earned his team an 18-all draw.


7.23am - Castleford Tigers' former Wakefield winger Michael Wainwright will miss Friday's Super League derby against his old club and the Tigers' home game against Warrington on Easter Monday with a knee injury sustained in Saturday's 20-4 defeat at Hull KR.

Monday, March 17

3.26pm - The Rugby Football League have appointed a general manager for Wales as part of a new initiative designed to further develop the 13-man game in the principality.

Caro Wild, who has worked for the RFL for nearly 10 years, will move from his current post in London next month to lead a four-man team based at National League Two club Celtic Crusaders in Bridgend.

1.12pm - Wakefield Trinity Wildcats hooker Tevita Leo-Latu has been charged with a reckless high tackle - which carries a ban of two to five matches - after being sent-off in last Friday's defeat at Hull.

Huddersfield's former Wakefield prop Darrell Griffin, sent-off after the final whistle of Sunday's loss to Wigan for abusing the referee, could be banned for up to seven matches when he appears before the Rugby Football League's disciplinary panel tomorrow.

He has been charged with verbally abusing a match official - a grade D offence which carries a suspension of between two and five games - and
will face an additional charge of raising his knees in the tackle, which could bring a ban of up to two matches if found guilty.


8.40am - Conference National side Bramley Buffaloes will secure a glamour tie away to former Super League side Salford City Reds in the Northern Rail Cup if they overcome Warrington Wizards next weekend.

Bramley are 20-6 up after yesterday's home leg of a two-legged qualifying tie.

The full draw for the NRC's opening knockout round is: Barrow Raiders v Batley Bulldogs, Oldham v Whitehaven, Salford City Reds v Bramley Buffaloes or Warringon Wizards, Halifax v Celtic Crusaders, Featherstone Rovers v Leigh Centurions, Widnes Vikings v Sheffield Eagles, Gateshead Thunder v Doncaster, Rochdale Hornets v Dewsbury Rams.


Friday, March 14

4.09pm - Leeds Rhinos will take on Celtic Crusaders in the Carnegie Challenge Cup on Friday 18th April at Headingley Carnegie, kick off 8pm.


4.05pm - A virus has disrupted Featherstone Rovers' preparations for Sunday's Northern Rail Cup trip to Gateshead Thunder. Waine Pryce and Tony Tonks are the latest players to be taken ill.

2.48pm - A virus has disrupted Featherstone Rovers' preparations for Sunday's Northern Rail Cup trip to Gateshead Thunder. Waine Pryce and Tony Tonks are the latest players to be taken ill.


1.36pm - Wakefield Trinity Wildcats fear winger Luke George could be out of action for six months. George suffered suspected knee ligament damage early in last weekend's win over Hull KR.


1.04pm - Richard Chapman is back in contention for Dewsbury Rams' Northern Rail Cup tie at home to Hunslet Hawks on Sunday.

Chapman, who has been out of favour this season, has been recalled to Rams' initial squad along with Joe Helme and Austin Buchanan, who is available after suspension. Rams have injury doubts over Josh Weeden and Dean Lawford.


11.26am - Half-back Phil Hasty will make his second debut for Hunslet Hawks in Sunday's Northern Rail Cup tie at Dewsbury Rams. Hasty rejoined Hawks, where he began his professional career, earlier this week.


8.10am - Welsh team Celtic Crusaders are relishing facing Leeds Rhinos at Headingley in the Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round next month.

The National One side's chief executive David Thompson said: "This is just why we were formed two years ago. We want to play the best teams in world and we're very excited to be drawn against the World Club Champions.

"We'll go up there and we'll certainly compete and we hope the Crusaders will be playing opponents of this sort of calibre on a regular basis in the not too distant future."


Thursday, March 13

4.52pm - The return of Shaun Berrigan and Lee Radford from injury and illness will give Hull a huge lift going into tomorrow's visit of Wakefield.

Coach Peter Sharp said: "To have them back in the team brings a lot of skill, football and leadership and that is a major plus for us."

1.15pm - Jason Demetriou (ankle), Jamie Rooney (ribs) and Sam Obst (ankle/hamstring) all failed fitness tests today and are ruled out of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' trip to Hul tomorrow.


7.45am - Super League champions Leeds Rhinos have signed New South Wales captain Danny Buderus on a two-year contract, beginning next season.

Buderus, 30, has played 24 times for Australia and is rated as one of the best players in the world. He said: "This is an opportunity to broaden my life and rugby league experiences while fulfilling my career ambitions of playing in England."

Wednesday, March 12

10.42am - Wigan will be without former Leeds Rhinos full-back Richard Mathers for the Easter programme but they will have the services of stand-off Trent Barrett after an evening of mixed fortunes at the Rugby Football League's disciplinary hearing.

Mathers, sent off for the first time in his career for a reckless high tackle on Warrington's Australian Test centre Matt King last Saturday, was handed a three-match ban and fined £300.

Hull KR forward David Mills was found guilty of striking during his side's 22-20 defeat at Wakefield but the disciplinary panel decided to take no further action.


Tuesday, March 11

8.50pm - Leeds Rhinos hooker Matt Diskin has been banned for one game and fined £300 after being found guilty of a reckless tackle on Michael Korkidas in last Friday's defeat at Castleford. Rhinos are considering an appeal.

6pm - The Carnegie Champion Schools Year 11 Boys' final between Featherstone's St Wilfrid's and Great Sankey, Warrington - due to be played at Headingley Carnegie tomorrow - has been postponed.

The Year 11 girls' and Colleges' finals have also been called off to protect the pitch. A new date has yet to be fixed.


2pm - Full-back Matt Blaymire, back-rower Jason Demetriou and hooker Tevita Leo-Latu are back in contention for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' trip to Hull on Friday, along with Paul Reilly who has completed a one-match ban. Knee injury victim Luke George is ruled out.

12.07pm - Wakefield's Ben Thaler will referee Leeds Rhinos' home game against Harlequins on Friday. Ashley Klein (Keighley) will be in charge of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' fixture at Hull the same evening and Steve Ganson (St Helens) will be in the middle for Hull KR v Castleford on Saturday.

11.26am - Winger Lee Smith (hip) and centre Ashley Gibson (hamstring) are both expected to miss Leeds Rhinos' Headingley Carnegie showdown with Harlequins on Friday.

Coach Brian McClennan said it is "unlikely" either player will feature after being hurt in the defeat at Castleford Tigers four days ago.

8.12am - The RFL has changed its rules on the naming of squads before games.
From today, clubs will be required to confirm a 19-man squad two days before a match. Previously, a 20-man squad was named three days in advance, being reduced to 18 on the eve of the fixture.

7.02am - Harlequins are confident talisman Henry Paul will be fit for Friday's trip to Leeds Rhinos, after he suffered a bicep injury in the 24-0 win over Huddersfield Giants two days ago.

Quins will be aiming for a fifth successive win and Paul said: "I think we are keeping our heads cool and playing with better composure this year. Our playing style is more conducive to getting results, we are not being reckless in our play."

Monday, March 10

2.12pm - Leeds Rhinos hooker Matt Diskin will appear before the RFL disciplinary committee tomorrow, charged with making a high tackle on Castleford Tigers prop Michael Korkidas during the defeat three days ago.

Also due to appear are Wigan stand-off Trent Barrett (alleged spear tackle) and full-back Richard Mathers (high tackle), Hull KR prop David Mills (striking) and Harlequins full-back Mark McLinden (careless high tackle).

12.59pm - Great Britain captain Jamie Peacock's autobiography No White Flag is to be unveiled in Leeds later this month.

Peacock will be launching his life story at Philip Howard Books, in Street Lane, Roundhay, on Saturday, March 22, from 11am.


11.31am - Wakefield Trinity Wildcats winger Luke George is facing a long lay-off after being hurt in yesterday's 22-20 win over Hull KR.

With no other player close to him, George's leg collapsed underneath him and he now faces an anxious wait for the results of a scan on his knee.

"It doesn't look good for the kid," admitted coach John Kear. "It's a shame because he's just making his way in the game."

9.27am - Leeds Rhinos' medical staff were today assessing winger Lee Smith (hip) and centre Ashley Gibson (hamstring), who both picked up injuries in the defeat at Castleford Tigers three days ago.

Coach Brian McClennan said Gibson, who was playing his first senior game in 11 months following a knee reconstruction, is in the most doubt for Friday's visit of Harlequins.


Friday, March 7

2.48pm - Bradford welcome back hooker Terry Newton for tomorrow's match against Les Catalans. Newton missed last week's defeat at Wigan with an ankle injury, and are likely to move Sam Burgess into the front row to help offset the loss of Joe Vagana with a broken arm.

12.09pm - Castleford have signed 20-year-old stand-off or loose forward Luke Helliwell from Bradford Bulls.
The Bradford-born player has signed an 18-month deal with the Tigers and is expected to have his first outing for the club in the reserve team against Leeds this weekend.

9.36 am - Four teenage rising stars have been promoted into Super League champions Leeds Rhinos' full-time squad.
Full-back Ben Jones-Bishop, 19, hooker Paul McShane, 18, loose-forward Danny Allan, 18, and 16-year-old winger Kallum Watkins will all begin training with Rhinos' full-time squad on Monday.

Thursday, March 6

3.07pm - Jason Demetriou, Aaron Murphy, Jason Golden and Jay Pitts have come into Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' initial squad for Sunday's visit of Hull KR. Wakefield will be without the suspended Paul Reilly.


11.11am - Former Leeds and Great Britain centre Chev Walker will return for Hull KR against Wakefield on Sunday after recovering from a shin injury.

Hull KR will be without Walker's deputy Kris Welham (hand) and former Wakefield winger Peter Fox (sternum), while utility-player Stanley Gene is suspended.

9.10am - Former Hull and Warrington player Richie Barnett has been banned for two years following a breach of the RFL's Anti-Doping regulations.

An RFL statement said: "In April 2007, Barnett provided a sample whilst playing for Warrington Wolves against Salford City Reds which was found to contain an elevated Testosterone/Epitestosterone (T/E) ratio."

The player's suspension began on the date of the hearing, last month, but was only revealed today.

7.41am - Castleford Tigers coach Terry Matterson reckons tomorrow is "as good a time as any" to play Super League and World Club champions Leeds Rhinos.

Matterson said: "We're coming off a fairly good performance, we're at home - there is going to be no room in the ground - and history tells you these games contain a lot of emotion."

Wednesday, March 5

10.45am - Wakefield will be without winger Paul Reilly for Sunday's game against Hull KR after he was found guilty of tripping during the 34-30 defeat against St Helens.

Reilly was handed a one-match ban and fined £300 when he appeared before the disciplinary panel in Leeds last night.

Tuesday, March 4


11.29am - England centre Ashley Gibson is set to make his first appearance for Super League champions Leeds Rhinos for almost 12 months at Castleford on Friday.

Gibson - who underwent a knee reconstruction last year - has been named in Rhinos' initial 20-man squad in place of the injured Clinton Toopi.

Ian Kirke is back in contention after injury and utility-player Jordan Tansey has also been called into the squad.

9.28am - Leeds Rhinos' Test centre Clinton Toopi will be out of action for three to four months.

Toopi has been told he needs surgery on the shoulder injury he suffered in the Carnegie World Club Challenge win over Melbourne Storm four days ago.

8.57am - Castleford Tigers are urging their fans to buy tickets in advance for Friday's visit of world champions Leeds Rhinos.
More than half the 11,000 tickets have already been sold and Rhinos have taken their full allocation.


Monday, March 3

2.53pm - Wakefield Trinity Wildcats winger Paul Reilly will appear before the RFL disciplinary committee tomorrow, charged with misconduct in yesterday's defeat at St Helens. Reilly is accused of tripping an opponent.

1.10pm - Leeds MP and vice-chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Rugby League, Greg Mulholland, has tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament recognising and commending Leeds Rhinos' Carnegie World Club Challenge win over Melbourne Storm.

Mulholland, who was at the game, said: "It was a fantastically entertaining and hard fought match and Leeds Rhinos should be congratulated on a superb performance.

"The players showed real flair and courage, despite injury setbacks, and it was a great occasion for the fans. I want to extend my congratulations to the Rhinos team and I am sure that everyone in Leeds will want to do the same."


12.20pm - Harlequins boss Brian McDermott believes Castleford Tigers aren't far away from breaking their engage Super League duck.

Two late tries earned Quins a 22-16 win at the Jungle on Sunday to leave Tigers bottom of the table, but McDermott feels they are a better team than results suggest.

He said: "I am a big fan of Castleford. Their first league points won't be too far away if they play like that every week."


11.10am - Boss John Kear has taken positives from Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' last-gasp 34-30 defeat at St Helens yesterday.

Kear said: "I thought the players dug in for each other, especially after going 12-0 down so early on, and showed some character. It was a good game for the neutrals, but we are very disappointed by the manner of the defeat because I thought we deserved something out of the game."

10.42am - Leeds Rhinos' Great Britain stand-off Danny McGuire is facing a month on the sidelines with the collarbone injury he suffered in the Carnegie World Club Challenge win over Melbourne Storm three days ago.

Rhinos today expressed "concern" over their other casualty from the night, Kiwi international centre Clinton Toopi, who could be out for much longer after dislocating a shoulder.

Sunday, March 2

7.54pm - Castleford Tigers coach Terry Matterson remained upbeat after his side's last-gasp 22-16 defeat at home to Harlequins.
Matterson said: "My guys really had a dig for each other. Our effort was great and we played some nice footy at times."

Saturday, March 1

6.39pm - Centre Ashley Gibson scored two tries and kicked eight goals as Rhinos Reserves thrashed Hull KR 80-6 today.

Gibson could be in line for a first team call-up after Clinton Toopi dislocated a shoulder in yesterday's Carnegie World Club Challenge.

Stand-off Danny McGuire is receiving intensive treatment, but medical staff have confirmed the collarbone injury he suffered against Melbourne was not a break.


2.30pm - Rhinos prop Ryan Bailey insists Leeds victory over Melbourne tops the win over St Helens in last season's Grand Final.
"It tops that," said Bailey, who made a big impact for Rhinos off the bench. "We were playing the best in the world and we're the best in the world now.
"We toughed it out and worked hard on defence. The pack's worked hard all year and it has paid off.


11.30am - Leeds skipper and Carnegie World Club Challenge man of the match Kevin Sinfield has hailed the influence of new coach Brian McClennan on the team.
"Our new boss has come in and been fantastic. Everybody believes in him.
"It was a big one for him on Friday and we're delighted for him, as we are for each other."


8.10am - Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington says Leeds are the best in the world following last night's 11-4 victory over Melbourne Storm.
He said: "We've lived in the shadow of Australian and New Zealand rugby league for literally decades, both internationally and domestically.
"Many of us feel we've got very close. I think on Friday we've seen that England and engage Super League has produced indisputably the world's best rugby league team.


Friday, February 29

2.32pm - Richard Blakeway is Featherstone Rovers' main injury doubt ahead of Sunday's Northern Rail Cup tie at home to Dewsbury Rams. Blakeway has a knee injury, so Sean Hesketh has been placed on stand-by.

11.42am - Hunslet Hawks have signed former Dewsbury Rams centre Eddie Mack, while forward Wayne Freeman has rejoined the club. Both players go straight into the squad for Sunday's Northern Rail Cup tie at Batley Bulldogs.

10.29am - Wakefield Trinity Wildcats hooker Brad Drew could undergo surgery on his broken hand today.
Coach John Kear said: "He was supposed to have an operation yesterday, but it was still too swollen. He's going back to have it assessed today and if they can't do it then, it'll definitely be next week."

8.14am - Leeds Rhinos are 20/1 with bookies Sky Bet to win all four available trophies - Carnegie World Club Challenge, Carnegie Challenge Cup, enage Super League leaders' shield and Super League Grand Final - in 2008.

Sky Bet are also quoting 12/1 for Rhinos to face today's World Club Challenge opponents Melbourne Storm in the 2009 showpiece.


Thursday, February 28

6.40pm - Bradford chairman Peter Hood wants Bulls to fans support arch-rivals Leeds Rhinos in tomorrow's Carnegie World Club Challenge against Melbourne Storm.

Hood said: "I urge all our supporters who are attending what is a prestigious event at Elland Road to put their club loyalties aside for one night and get behind the British Champions.

"I have read that former Bulls' player Jamie Peacock feels he is representing England and a win for the Rhinos would be a great boost for the English game. We agree with his assessment and we give the Rhinos our best wishes tomorrow night and hope they can carry on the recent success of English clubs in this competition."

4.09pm - National Conference amateurs Oulton Raiders will face Co-op National One outfit Dewsbury Rams in the Carnegie Challenge Cup third round.
Other ties involving Yorkshire teams include: Sheffield Eagles v Lezignan XIII, York City Knights v Halifax, Leeds Metropolitan University v Doncaster, Blackpool Panthers v Featherstone Rovers, Rochdale Hornets v York Acorn, London Skolars v Queens, Bank Quay Bulls v Hunslet Hawks, Leigh Centurions v Featherstone Lions, Batley Bulldogs v East Hull, Keighley Cougars v Toulouse, Widnes Vikings v Skirlaugh.

1.07pm - Hull's former Australia Test utility-player Shaun Berrigan has joined the club's crippling injury list with a damaged bicep.
The ex-Brisbane Broncos hooker or centre is expected to be out until Easter after sustaining the injury during Tuesday's training session with Melbourne Storm at Featherstone.

10.12am - Giant Leeds Rhinos forward Ian Kirke is out of tomorrow's Carnegie World Club Challenge clash with Melbourne Storm at Elland Road.
Nick Scruton comes in on the bench in the only change to the side which won the engage Super League Grand Final last October.

8.09am - Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has named his line-up for tomorrow's Carnegie World Club Challenge against Leeds Rhinos at Elland Road.
The Storm team is: Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Will Chambers, Israel Folau, Anthony Quinn, Russ Aitken, Cooper Cronk, Jeff Lima, Matt Geyer, Brett White, Jeremy Smith, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Subs from Antonio Kaufusi, Adam Blair, Sam Tagataese, Sika Manu, Ben MacDougall, Aiden Tolman.

Tuesday, February 26

7.28pm - Hull Kingston Rovers have confirmed they have brought their home fixture with Leeds Rhinos forward by 48 hours.
The game was due to go ahead on Sunday April 27, but will now be played on Friday April 25 with an 8pm kick-off at Craven Park.


3.27pm - Leeds Rhinos could field their Grand Final-winning side in Friday's World Club Challenge.
Coach Brian McClennan's 20 man squad includes the Grand Final 17 - the side who beat Les Catalans Dragons last week - plus Ryan Hall, Luke Burgess and Nick Scruton.


.41pm - Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has named a 20-man squad for Friday night's Carnegie World Club Challenge against Leeds Rhinos at Elland Road.
The squad is Russ Aitken, Adam Blair, Will Chambers, Cooper Cronk, Israel Folau, Matt Geyer, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson, Antonio Kaufusi, Jeff Lima, Ben MacDougall, Skia Manu, Dane Nielsen, Anthony Quinn, Billy Slater, Jeremy Smith, Sam Tagataese, Aiden Tolman, Steve Turner, Brett White.


1.22pm - Scrum-half Cooper Cronk was today chosen to lead Melbourne Storm in Friday's Carnegie World Club Challenge against Leeds Rhinos.
The 24-year-old Cronk, who made his Test debut in Australia's 58-0 win over New Zealand in October, was handed the captaincy duties in the absence of Cameron Smith.

10.58am - Bookies Sky bet have started offering odds on when Castleford Tigers will get their first win this season - after the 64-12 humiliation at Huddersfield Giants two days ago.
Newly-promoted Tigers are being offered at 50-1 not to win a league game all season - and 7/4 to pick up their first victory when Harlequins visit the Jungle on Sunday.

9.15am - Batley Bulldogs' home Northern Rail Cup tie against York City Knights, scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed for a third time.
The game was called off twice due to a frozen pitch and will now have to be rearranged again, because of problems with the Mount Pleasant floodlights.


7.01am - St Helens' Great Britain stand-off Leon Pryce has again been caught grabbing the testicles of a Bradford player, but this time has escaped punishment.
Pryce, who was handed a three-match ban for "ungentlemanly conduct" on Sam Burgess in last year's Challenge Cup semi-final, was spotted committing a similar offence on Andy Lynch during Friday's 22-16 win at Odsal, but the Rugby Football League's match review panel decided not to charge him after deciding that "contact was absolutely minimal".

Monday, February 25

1.58pm - French Test forward David Ferriol is one of three Super League players ordered to appear before the Rugby Football League's disciplinary panel tomorrow.
The Catalans Dragons prop has been charged with making a dangerous tackle during his side's 34-6 defeat by Leeds on Friday. Wigan's Phil Bailey (dangerous throw) and Hull KR utility-player Stanley Gene (high tackle) will also appear.

12.53pm - A shadow has been cast over Melbourne Storm's preparations for Friday's World Club Challenge by revelations that star player Greg Inglis was involved in an altercation back in Australia.
The Australian Test stand-off, who was left behind to continue his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery, suffered slight injuries in an incident outside a Brisbane hotel last night.

10.17am - Wakefield Trinity Wildcats hooker Brad Drew will learn today if he needs surgery after breaking two bones in a hand during Saturday's loss at Harlequins.
Skipper Jason Demetriou (ankle ligament damage) and centre Tony Martin (hamstring) were hurt in the same game and could both be out of action for up to two two months.

7.55am - Coach Terry Matterson admits Castleford Tigers let their fans down in yesterday's 64-12 defeat at Huddersfield Giants.
Matterson said: "What we served up didn't do justice to the supporters who came in numbers. I thought they were fantastic and I feel for them."

Friday, February 22

10.10am - Leeds Rhinos prop Jamie Thackray has joined National Two side Doncaster on loan and is due to make his debut in tonight's Northern Rail Cup tie against Celtic Crusaders.

8.55am - Hunslet Hawks full-back Matt Bramald has been confirmed as the club's under-21s boss. Martin Palmer, of National Conference outfit Bradford Dudley Hill, has also joined Hawks' coaching staff.

Thursday, February 21

6.07pm - Broken toe victim Kirk Dixon could return for Castleford Tigers at Huddersfield Giants on Sunday.

Dixon has been named in Tigers' squad for the first time this season, with Ryan Boyle also added to the 17 on duty in last Friday's defeat at Wigan Warriors.

12.01pm - Leeds Rhinos will be at full-strength for tomorrow's visit of Les Catalans Dragons in engage Super League.
Ryan Hall and Luke Burgess have dropped out from the initial 20-man squad named on Tuesday, so coach Brian McClennan will select from the players on duty in last weekend's win at Wakefield, plus prop Kylie Leuluai, who has recovered from flu.

10.44am - Aussie Ashley Klein, who is now based in the Keighley area, will referee the Carnegie World Club Challenge between Leeds Rhinos and Melbourne Storm in eight days' time.
Mirfield's Richard Silverwood will be the reserve official and Phil Bentham, of Warrington, has been confirmed as the video referee. Touch judges will be Clint Sharrad and James Child and the reserve touch judge/interchange official will be Paul Marklove


10.16am - The Government have backed Wakefield Council's decision to grant planning permission for Castleford Tigers' new stadium at Glasshoughton, which means the project will not need to go to a public inquiry.

Preparation work is now due to begin on the site, near the Xscape leisure complex, with groundworks expected to get underway in early spring.


9.26am - Former Leeds Rhinos prop Ewan Dowes has signed a contract extension which will keep him at Hull until the end of the 2010 season.

Dowes, who joined Hull from Leeds in 2003, said: "I couldn't be happier. I really believe we are going places and I couldn't see my future anywhere else."


Tuesday, February 19

2.57pm - Ben Thaler, of Wakefield, will referee Leeds Rhinos' home clash with Les Catalans Dragons on Friday.
Ian Smith (Oldham) will be in charge of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' Saturday fixture at Harlequins, with Richard Silverwood (Mirfield) in the middle for Castleford Tigers' trip to Huddersfield Giants on Sunday.

2.12pm - Prop Kylie Leuluai could return for Leeds Rhinos at home to Les Catalans Dragons on Friday, after recovering from flu.
Front-rower Luke Burgess and winger Ryan Hall are also included in Rhinos' initial 20-man squad, along with the 17 on duty in last Friday's win at Wakefield.

1.40pm - Loose-forward Chris Flannery has joined St Helens' injury list, but captain Paul Sculthorpe edged closer to a comeback today when he was named in coach Daniel Anderson's initial squad for Friday's game at Bradford.
Flannery will be out for three to four weeks with a torn quadricep muscle sustained in last Friday's 30-22 win over Warrington and joins Jason Cayless, Jon Wilkin and Maurie Fa'asavalu on the sidelines, but centre Willie Talau returns after missing the season's first two engage Super League matches with a leg injury.

11.52am - Keighley Cougars' former Hunslet and Batley back-rower Will Cartledge has been named Northern Rail Cup player of the round following his man-of–the match performance in a 22-18 victory at Workington Town last Sunday.

8.15am - Super League champions Leeds Rhinos have won a hat-trick of top honours at the Leeds Sports Awards.
Rhinos were named club of the year, scrum-half Rob Burrow was player of the year and Tony Smith claimed the coach of the year prize.

Monday, February 18

1.56pm - Players from Melbourne Storm - who take on Leeds Rhinos in the Carnegie World Club Challenge at Elland Road on February 29 - will be at the White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds on Thursday to take part in an autograph signing session.
The players will be in the White Rose's upper circle from 4.30pm- 6.00pm.


12.58pm - Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McClennan is "concerned" at the number of penalties his side are conceding, he admitted today.
Rhinos have been penalised 31 times in their opening three engage Super League fixtures and McClennan said: "There seems to be a pattern emerging where if we're ahead at half-time, we seem to be more indisciplined in the second-half than in the first - and I can't figure out why."

11.20am - Wigan prop Stuart Fielden's comeback has been delayed for another month.
Fielden missed the opening game of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery and then damaged a bicep in training, keeping him out of last Friday's visit of Castleford Tigers.
Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan today admitted the injury is more serious than originally thought and Fielden will not play until mid-March at the earliest.

10.32am - Former New Zealand scrum-half Stacey Jones, who spent the last two years of his career in Super League with Catalans Dragons, has been appointed goalkicking coach of his old club New Zealand Warriors. Jones played a record 238 games for the Warriors before moving to France.

8.56am - Leeds Rhinos today welcomed the decision to open the upper tier of Elland Road's East Stand for the Carnegie World Club Challenge showdown with Australian champions Melbourne Storm in 11 days' time.
Around 7,000 extra seats, priced from £17-£40, are now on sale for the clash between the engage Super League and NRL champions, on Friday, February 29.

Saturday, 16 February

8.06pm - Former Wigan and New Zealand captain Dean Bell, 45, has been appointed football manager of the Kiwis for the May 9 Centenary Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The former Leeds Rhinos Academy coach and Man of Steel joins the new-look backroom team of head coach Stephen Kearney and adviser Wayne Bennett.

4.57pm - Loose forward Scott Murrell has pulled out of Hull KR's team to play Catalans Dragons in Perpignan tonight because of illness and has been replaced in coach Justin Morgan's 18-man squad by Jon Steel.


Friday, 15 February

3.23pm - Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has revealed his 21-man squad for the Carnegie World Club Challenge showdown with Leeds Rhinos at Elland Road on February 29.

Star trio Cooper Cronk, Jeremy Smith and Billy Slater will all travel, but Michael Crocker and Greg Inglis are both injured and club captain and current world player of the year Cameron Smith will stay in Melbourne as his partner is due to give birth to their first child in early March.

The squad is: Russell Aitken, Adam Blair, Will Chambers, Cooper Cronk, Israel Folau, Liam Foran, Matt Geyer, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson, Antonio Kaufusi, Jeff Lima, Ben MacDougall, Sika Manu, Dane Nielsen, Anthony Quinn, Billy Slater, Jeremy Smith, Sam Tagataese, Aiden Tolman, Steve Turner and Brett White


3.04pm - Kane Epati could make his long-awaited Dewsbury Rams comeback –following a knee reconstruction - in Sunday's Northern Rail Cup tie at Hunslet Hawks.

1.10pm - Batley Bulldogs could be without winger Jamie Stokes for Sunday's Northern Rail Cup visit of York City Knights.
Stokes has a hip injury, so Craig Lingard could come into the side at full-back, with Ian Preece moving to the wing. Tim Spears and Craig Farrell are both vying for a place after injury.

11.34 am - Castleford Tigers can pull off one of the shocks of the season at Wigan Warriors tonight, coach Terry Matterson believes.
Tigers are down to just 18 available players through injuries and a suspension, but Matterson said a repeat of last week's impressive defensive display against Catalans, plus better ball control and discipline will give them a great chance of claiming the two points.

9.57am - Boss Brian McClennan is backing Leeds Rhinos' kickers to win tonight's Belle Vue battle of the boot.
Hosts Wakefield Trinity Wildcats boast one of the best kicking games in engage Super League, but McClennan said: "I think our kickers - Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire - kick the ball extremely well and I think we can beat them in that department, if we set things up right."

8.58am - Wakefield Trinity Wildcats will have to step up a gear to beat Leeds Rhinos tonight, coach John Kear has warned.
Wildcats stunned Bradford Bulls 26-24 in their opening game of the season last Sunday, but Kear said: "We'll have to play better tonight, no doubt. If we do improve, we'll have a great chance."

Thursday, 14 February

3.42pm - Winger Lee Smith has been recalled by Leeds Rhinos boss Brian McClennan for Friday's clash with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at Belle Vue.
Smith's return, in place of Ryan Hall, is the only change to the side which won at Huddersfield Giants last Sunday.

1.55pm - Wakefield Wildcats star Jamie Rooney could be back in action against Leeds Rhinos tomorrow night.
Trinity head coach John Kear's 18-man squad features the 17 who defeated Bradford last Sunday - plus Rooney.

1.09pm - Former Leeds Rhinos full-back Richard Mathers admits Super League has "gone up a notch" during his 18-month absence.
Mathers - who left Leeds to join Aussie outfit Gold Coast Titans - is back in England with Wigan Warriors and he said: "The standard is getting better each year. On any day, especially during the start of the season, everyone is on a pretty even keel and there are no easy games."

12.14pm - Castleford Tigers have decided not to appeal against hooker Scott Moore's two-match ban, for two separate incidents in last weekend's defeat by Les Catalans Dragons.
With injured trio Stuart Donlan (knee), Kirk Dixon (broken toe) and Ryan Clayton (shoulder) also ruled out, all Tigers' available players are included in the squad for tomorrow's trip to Wigan Warriors, with Richard Owen, Adam Fletcher and Liam Higgins drafted into the 18 to travel.


9.35am - Hull FC captain Lee Radford has agreed a one-year contract extension. Radford's new deal will keep him at the club until the end of the 2009 engage Super League season and he said: "This is fantastic for me, I'm delighted and it was one of the easiest decisions I have had to make."

8.45am - Hunslet Hawks have signed 22-year-old former England Students full-back Nathan Larvin on a month's loan from Featherstone Rovers.
Larvin is likely to make his Hawks debut in Sunday's home clash with Dewsbury Rams.

Tuesday 12 February

8.11pm - Leeds Rhinos forward Ali Lauitiiti will be available to face Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Friday.
The RFL disciplinary committee found Lauitiiti guilty of striking with the shoulder and a separate reckless tackle in Sunday's win at Huddersfield. He was fined £300 for the reckless tackle, but avoided a ban for either offence.

7.28pm - Castleford Tigers' Scott Moore has been banned for two matches and fined £300 by the RFL disciplinary committee.
Moore was found guilty of a dangerous throw and a reckless tackle - two separate incidents - during last Saturday's defeat by Les Catalans Dragons.
The ban, on top of injuries to Kirk Dixon, Ryan Clayton and Stuart Donlan, leaves Tigers with just 18 senior players available for Friday's trip to Wigan Warriors.

2.31pm - Warrington official Phil Bentham will take charge of Leeds Rhinos' derby at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Friday. Castleford Tigers' trip to Wigan the same evening will be refereed by Ian Smith, of Oldham.

2.08pm - The Rugby Football League are to investigate reports referee Ashley Klein was pelted with missiles during the Super League first round match at Warrington last Friday.
Police are also looking into crowd trouble that flared both before and after the Wolves' game against Hull at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, which Warrington won 32-20.

12.39pm - St Helens are facing a mounting injury crisis, with Jon Wilkin (knee) and Maurie Fa'asavalu (broken thumb) both sidelined for six weeks after last Sunday's defeat at Hull KR.
Willie Talau (calf) Jason Cayless (knee) are also on the casualty list and coach Daniel Anderson today admitted he is concerned over skipper Paul Sculthorpe's failure to recover from a ruptured Achilles.

11.45am - Leeds Rhinos are keeping tight-lipped over reports linking them with Kiwi Test legend Ruben Wiki, who will leave New Zealand Warriors at the end of this season.
Wiki has played alongside Rhinos' Brent Webb, Clinton Toopi and Ali Lauitiiti and was coached at international level by Leeds boss Brian McClennan.


11.02am - Batley Bulldogs' Francis Maloney has been named Northern Rail Cup player of the round after kicking the winning drop goal in Sunday's 19-18 triumph over Dewsbury Rams.
Batley coach Gary Thornton said: "Francis was the difference between the two teams. His drop goal under pressure was a tremendous piece of play."

10.05am - X Factor star Ray Quinn will provide the pre-match entertainment when Castleford Tigers play host to Harlequins in engage Super League on Sunday, March 2.

9.04am - Leeds Rhinos' Ali Lauitiiti and Scott Moore, of Castleford Tigers, are both due to appear before the RFL disciplinary committee tonight.
Lauitiiti is charged with making a late challenge on Huddersfield scrum-half Luke Robinson and a reckless high tackle on prop Eorl Crabtree.
Moore has been charged with both a dangerous throw and a reckless high tackle in the defeat by Les Catalans Dragons on Saturday.
Other players referred are Harlequins prop Danny Ward, Bradford back-rower Glenn Morrison, Hull KR utility-player Stanley Gene, Warrington forward Steve Pickersgill and St Helens second-rower Lee Gilmour.

Monday 11 February

2.50pm - Castleford Tigers winger Stuart Donlan is facing three weeks on the sidelines after suffering a twisted knee late in Saturday's defeat by Les Catalans Dragons.
Kirk Dixon (toe) and Ryan Clayton (shoulder) both remain on the casualty list and are expected to miss Friday's trip to Wigan Warriors.

1.58pm - Hull are hoping to have Great Britain international winger Gareth Raynor and captain, back-row forward Lee Radford fit for Sunday's opening home engage Super League game against Harlequins at the KC Stadium.
Raynor (hamstring) and Radford (broken thumb) both picked up injuries in Hull's pre-season trial games.

11.36am - St Helens coach Daniel Anderson put on a brave face after his side's shock 24-22 defeat at Hull KR.
Anderson said: "We had a horrible start to the second half and we had to fight back from 16 points down, but I was really happy with the way we played in the second half."

10.49am - Coach John Kear expects Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' new signings to make a big impact this year, following their round one win over Bradford Bulls.
Kear said: "To integrate five new people into the side takes some doing, but they all made a contribution. I thought there were some very heartening signs for the rest of the season."

9.33am - Leeds Rhinos players Clinton Toopi, Ali Lauitiiti, Brent Webb and Kylie Leuluai will be taking the engage Super League trophy to the city's Royal Armouries museum on Sunday (11am-noon) to meet young fans.

8.07am - Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McClennan has told young wingers Ryan Hall and Lee Smith they both need to improve. Smith scored two tries in the opening win over Hull KR but was left out of Sunday's game at Huddersfield Giants to make way for Hall, who also bagged a brace.
McClennan said: "It wasn't about dropping Lee, it was about giving Ryan a chance. They have both scored tries but there are aspects of their game which they need to improve"


Friday 8 February

7.41pm - Bradford Bulls' 17-year-old centre, Jason Crookes has joined Widnes Vikings on a month's loan. Crookes is a member of the Bulls first team squad, but has yet to make a senior appearance and the Bulls have agreed an initial one month loan with the Cheshire club.


2.58pm - Bradford Bulls coach Steve McNamara reckons Sunday's Super League clash with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats will be a thriller.
McNamara said: "Belle Vue is never an easy place to go and there have been some great games over the past few years. Both sides have plenty of ex-players from the other side in their ranks and that always add a spark."

2.45pm - Hunslet Hawks boss Graeme Hallas has challenged his side to bounce back fdrom last weekend's 62-12 Northern Rail Cup mauling by Batley.
Hawks travel to Gateshead Thunder on Sunday and Hallas said: "We've got some improvements to make and some wrongs to put right. The players realise that some of them didn't exactly cover themselves in glory last week, but they've responded well so far."

10.57am - Castleford Tigers could have five debutants in action for their return to engage Super League at home to Les Catalans Dragons tomorrow.
Coach Terry Matterson has named new signings Luke Dorn, Brent Sherwin, Michael Korkidas, Tom Haberecht and Scott Moore in his 18-man squad.

9.55am - Two Leeds Rhinos players are due to make their debut on loan at other clubs tonight.
Rhinos winger Danny Williams has been included in Hull's squad for their engage Super League opener at Warrington Wolves, while prop Michael Haley is expected to feature for Doncaster at home to Sheffield Eagles in the Northern Rail Cup.

7.48am - Leeds Rhinos have pledged to recruit a top-quality replacement for back-rower Gareth Ellis, who has signed a three-year contract with Australian side Wests Tigers to begin in 2009.
Leeds chief Executive Gary Hetherington said: "We are obviously disappointed to be losing a key member of our squad, but we fully understand Gareth's desire to fulfil his lifetime ambition to play in the NRL and when he leaves he will do so with our best wishes. We will be looking to recruit a top quality replacement for 2009 throughout this year."

Thursday 7 February

11.23am - Featherstone Rovers will be looking to regain lost pride when they host York City Knights in the Northern Rail Cup on Sunday.
Rovers were hammered 56-24 at Dewsbury Rams last weekend and coach David Hobbs said: "It's all about us this week. We've got to get our performance back. We let ourselves down and we now know how hard we've got to work for Co-operative National League One"


10.32am - Catalans Dragons have included former Toulouse rugby union player Jean Philippe Baile in their squad for Saturday's opening engage Super League match at Castleford.
Baile is likely to be 18th man on Saturday, but the Dragons will give debuts to Australian second-rower Dane Carlaw and ex-Castleford and Wakefield forward Olivier Elima.

9.36am - New Zealand Test centre Shontayne Hape could follow his former Bradford team-mate Lesley Vainikolo into rugby union.
Hape said: "I have thought about rugby union and I can see why it's attractive. Obviously I am out of contract this year and I've got to assess everything and sit down with my manager. I'm coming towards the back end of my career and I need to go where the best deal is for me and my family."

9.12am - The salary cap will make engage Super League closer than ever this season, Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington believes.
Hetherington reckons an average of two wins out of every three games this year will be enough to secure the league leaders' trophy at the end of the 27-round regular campaign.


7.24am - Full-back Paul Wellens insists St Helens can bounce back from last season's Super League Grand Final defeat by Leeds Rhinos.
Wellens said: "It's important we move on. We've done a lot of work in the off-season. We've improved ourselves physically and hopefully that will stand us in good stead to improve in 2008."

Wednesday 6 February

1.04pm - Wigan today said they are standing by prop Iafeta Paleaaesina, who is to go on trial in April accused breaking a man's jaw with a punch.
The Samoa-born former New Zealand international appeared in court on Monday where he denied inflicting grievous bodily harm on bus driver James Campbell at Wigan North Western railway station in October last year.
He is due to go on trial at Liverpool Crown Court on April 28.


7.50am - Hull coach Peter Sharp is sure on-loan Rhinos winger Danny Williams will do a good job for his injury-hit club.
Sharp has lost seven first-choice players, including new signing Adam Dykes, through injury but their problems have been alleviated by yesterday's signing of Williams.
"Wing is a specialist position and we are short of options," said Sharp. "Danny will certainly do a good job for us."


Tuesday 5 February

7.13pm - The RFL disciplinary committee have found Leeds Rhinos skipper Kevin Sinfield and Hull KR's Ben Cockayne guilty of committing a careless grapple tackle in last Saturday's clash at Headingley Carnegie. No further action will be taken against either player.

7.10pm - Hull have confirmed the loan signing of Leeds Rhinos winger Danny Williams.The 21-year-old will go straight into the side for Friday night's engage Super League opener against Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

3.27pm - Following the abandonment of the Carnegie Challenge Cup first round match between Ince Rose Bridge and Hunslet Old Boys on Saturday, with the Wigan side leading 28-6, it has been decided the result will stand and Ince Rose Bridge will go into the second round draw.

The game was called off after Old Boys had a fourth player sent-off. The RFL are investigating allegations the match referee was assaulted during the game.

12.04pm - Leeds Rhinos skipper Kevin Sinfield has been charged with an alleged "careless grapple tackle" in the first minute of last Saturday's win over Hull KR.
Sinfield's case will be heard by the RFL disciplinary committee this afternoon, but he can't be banned for the alleged offence. Rovers' Ben Cockayne faces a similar charge.


10.08am - Former Castleford Tigers ace Danny Brough is relishing his return to engage Super League, when Wakefield Trinity Wildcats take on Bradford Bulls on Sunday.
Brough will make his Wildcats debut and he said: "Obviously I'm looking forward to it, being back in Super League. After last year, I think Wakefield can do a bit better and get in the top-six."

9.02am - Winger Danny Williams is poised to become the fifth Leeds Rhinos player to join another club on loan.
Rhinos coach Brian McClennan is keen for Williams to play Super League rugby, with Hull his likely destination following injuries to their first-choice wingers Gareth Raynor and Matt Sing.

7.57am - Veteran coach Wayne Bennett today announced he is to quit Brisbane Broncos at the end of the new season, bringing to an end an unbroken 21-year stint at the helm.
The 58-year-old former Australia coach, who has been earmarked for a role with New Zealand ahead of this year's World Cup, announced his decision amid speculation linking him with several NRL clubs.

7.03am - St Helens captain Paul Sculthorpe has backed the decision to scrap automatic promotion and relegation in engage Super League to pave the way for an expansion to 14 teams and the introduction of three-year licences from 2009.
Sculthorpe said: "I think it should have come in sooner. It's exciting at the end of the year, but I don't think it's good for the game. It's only exciting when you're not taking part in it."

Monday 4 February
2.21pm - Great Britain forward Jamie Jones-Buchanan is likely to return to Leeds Rhinos' line-up at Huddersfield Giants on Sunday.
Jones-Buchanan missed Saturday's win over Hull KR due to a hamstring problem, but coach Brian McClennan said: "He will be right for Sunday."
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8.11am - Leeds Rhinos winger Lee Smith believes the Rhinos never-say-die spirit was the reason's for his side's comback victory over Hull KR.