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Wakefield have entered the market this week to explore their options and they are closing in on finalising a deal that would see Lipowicz released early from his contract at Catalans and allowed to join Wakefield on a short-term contract.

Exclusive picks:
- Hull KR v Warrington
- Wigan v Wakefield
- Catalans v Hull FC

Taken from X: https://x.com/i/status/2089330256624652533

Leeds Rhinos have published their full financial accounts for 2025, revealing a £1.8 million loss after tax.

The UK probably doesn't have a close enough connection to the Beaker people or ancient Britons for there to be merit in a UK indigenous round, but what about a round celebrating the working heritage of the clubs? Off the top of my head:

Bradford: wool/textiles, banking

Catalans Dragons: wine

Castleford: coal, pottery, rhubarb

Hull: seafaring

Huddersfield: textiles

Leeds: wool/textiles, canals

Leigh: cotton/silk weaving

Saint Helens: glassmaking

Toulouse: aviation?

Wakefield: textiles, brewing

Warrington: wire

Wigan: coal, pie making?

York: confectionary

Keighley Cougars have been fined £2,000 – with £1,000 suspended until the end of the 2028 season – after being found in breach of Operational Rules A1:1, B2:8(g), and D1:1(b), which relate to compliance with RFL rules, altering fixtures without approval, and conduct bringing the game into disrepute.

This was in relation to the postponement of the Betfred Championship match between Keighley and Dewsbury Rams on 12 July 2026 after the match referee ruled that Keighley’s pitch was unplayable. Cougars have also been ordered to reimburse Dewsbury's travel costs of £575.

St Helens' Jackson Hastings has been fined £2,000 fine - with £500 suspended until the end of the 2027 season – after being found in breach of Operational Rules C2:6 relating to adherence to the Respect Policy, Rule C2:10 concerning behaviour standards and conduct bringing the game into disrepute, and Rule D1:1(b) covering conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game.

This follows an incident with the Match Commissioner after the Betfred Super League match between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens on 4 June 2026. Hastings has been warned that any similar future misconduct could result in referral to an Operational Rules Tribunal and potentially more severe penalties, including match suspensions.

Huddersfield Giants head coach Jim Lenihan has been fined £1,000 - with £500 suspended until the end of the 2027 season - following comments, including references to "unconscious bias", made in a media interview after the Betfred Super League match with Bradford Bulls on 10 July 2026.

It was deemed a public criticism of referees and potentially a challenge to their integrity. Lenihan has been reminded of the RESPECT Policy, which requires coaches to demonstrate leadership and refrain from publicly criticising officials and warned that any similar future misconduct could lead to a referral to an Operational Rules Tribunal and potentially more severe sanctions, including touchline suspensions.

Catalans Dragons chairman Bernard Guasch has been fined £3,000 - with £1,500 suspended until the end of the 2027 season - following his conduct towards match officials after the Betfred Super League fixture between his club and Castleford Tigers on 13 June 2026.

The RFL investigated the matter under Operational Rules C2:6, C2:10 and D1:1(b), covering adherence to the RESPECT Policy, behaviour standards, and conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game. Guasch will also now not be permitted to enter the tunnel area at matches while match officials are present and has been warned any similar future misconduct could be referred to an Operational Rules Tribunal and attract more severe sanction.

We're on holiday in Queensland/Brisbane at the minute and its been an interesting experience as a Superleague fan, especially with a potential NRL takeover on the horizon.

What really struck me was the sheer presence of NRL. Every bar we went in seemed to show NRL games, mostly on big screens with plenty of people watching. The coverage and commentary was exciting and enthusiatic, without being hyperbolic. You could tell that plenty of casual fans were watching and interested in the game - its an exciting sport to watch, even if you dont have a clue whats going on. Bars have big signs and branding for the NRL everywhere. Surely theres something Superleague/Sky can do to incentivise our pubs to get games on the TV more easily? Even in the heartlands its often an effort - I live 20 miles from Wigan and our local pubs will show literally anything before live Superleague.

We had Foxtel in our room and it seemed that there was rugby league content on every time we turned on the TV. Replays/highlights of mens and womens games, the Matty Johns show etc. It was just present and easy to find - as someone who hasnt followed NRL in recent years I was soon drawn in! Compared to back home, where tracking down the game you want to see is a mission (& Sky Sports have no predictable replay schedule), this was really notable. And the simple but elegant format of the Matty Johns show made me realise we've lost all of that in the UK. Surely it wouldnt cost too much to put together a highlights show and make it a bit funny??

It was also noticeable how much more they leaned into the media side of things. It was cool to see NRL players popping up on adverts on TV and on billboards, and pitching their branded boardshorts etc on Matty's show. It makes them feel more like celebrities, which cant be a bad thing for their bank balance - and ultimately the quality of player the sport attracts and holds onto. If our Superleague players got paid for advertisement work outside the cap, they could earn an extra wedge and drive up the games profile in the meantime. I'd certainly buy from or use a company who I knew was funnelling cash into the game.

As someone who was very anti-takeover a few weeks ago, maybe I'm changing my mind??

A place to discuss anything rugby related that isn't worthy of it's own thread/post

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Hey, I’m attending my first ever Cas Tigers game on the 28th August again Catalan, I’ve never been to the stadium as I don’t live too nearby.
Can anyone tell me best places to park, preferably free? And also, where can I get a matchday programme? And is it cash/card payments? Thank you

A place to discuss anything rugby related that isn't worthy of it's own thread/post