Rugby league

Chris Ashton has revealed ‘unfinished business’ with the World Cup which is fuelling his England comeback mission. The Sale winger finally makes his Premiership debut for Sharks at Bath on Sunday having shaken off the injury which sidelined him against Australia. An early-season ban means, incredibly, he has played three times more for his country since joining his new club, who have struggled without him - and he is vowing to make amends. On the one hand to bring rugby union success back to his native North-West by reviving the fortunes of Sale, who last won a trophy in 2006. Secondly as he knows delivering week-in week-out is what it will take for him to keep his England place through to the World Cup. Ashton said: “Having taken so long to get back in, and knowing how hard it was to get there, this is not something I plan on letting get away from me again. “I’d like to score quite a few more tries for England yet. I still think I’ve got a lot to … [Read more...] about Chris Ashton targets World Cup redemption ahead of league debut for Sale

JACKSON Hastings is living a teenage dream playing under Great Britain boss Wayne Bennett. And the Wigan-bound scrum-half believes the Lions proved things are coming good after playing more like stars do for their clubs. Hastings, who qualifies through an English grandmother, has not hit the heights he reached for Salford as they reached Super League’s Grand Final and he was named Steve Prescott Man of Steel. However, the last 10 minutes of the 12-8 loss to New Zealand showed Britain can down the Kiwis in today’s second Test as the shackles were thrown off. Hastings, though, believes there are reasons to be cheerful – and the man he looked in awe at as a teenager can bring the best out of Britain. He also revealed Bennett’s line is open to his players away from the international arena, despite his aura of being stand-offish to the point of being grumpy.Hastings said: “Wayne’s not as angry as he seems but he’s a pretty straight shooter. … [Read more...] about Jackson Hastings admits he looked at Great Britain coach Wayne Bennett in awe

The Cronulla Sharks have been mocked online after revealing their 2020 NRL Nines jersey. The club shared a picture of the official shirt to their Twitter page on Friday afternoon ahead of the challenge in February 2020. An open-mouthed shark adorns the front of the jersey while a fin is printed on the back.  The Cronulla Sharks shared a picture of its official Nines jersey (left and right) to their Twitter page on Friday afternoon The jersey is on sale for $160 on the Cronulla Sharks website.  Social media users didn't hold back on their thoughts about the jersey.  RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Rugby league star Shaun Johnson and his netball player... Valentine Holmes is set to return to Australia and the NRL... Footy star baffles French locals as he asks for condoms... Barry Hall fires back at Paul Gallen after being called... Share this article Share 'Did somebody lose a bet? Check that there isn't a gas leak or lead in the water or … [Read more...] about ‘Why does the shark look so sad’: Rugby league team is mercilessly mocked for its new ‘worst in Australian sport’ jersey

Warren Gatland, the Wales head coach, fears rugby is following football's culture of hiring and firing managers as top clubs look for instant success at the highest level. Gatland has spent more than a decade in charge of Wales and coached his adopted nation for the 100th time in their Six Nations defeat to Ireland. His job couldn't be safer as the New Zealander prepares to leave after next year's World Cup in Japan. By contrast, football's Premier League has a culture – one which looks unlikely to end – of sacking managers as soon as there's a bump in the road. The experienced Gatland is worried his sport is going down a similar path. “The thing with rugby at the moment is that there is definitely... … [Read more...] about Warren Gatland fears rugby is following football’s hiring and firing culture

European quarter-finals in the books and the domestic leagues racing towards the play-off stages, a long season in the north is beginning to come to an end. There was no clearer sign of that than at Parc y Scarlets last week, where Tadhg Beirne and John Barclay among other Scarlets players received standing ovations in their final home appearances for the Pro14 champions.  Leicester's upturn in form should be another indicator - they always seem to thrive at this point of the season - with their pack showing some added bite after the return of Ellis Genge and arrival of forwards coach Mark Bakewell. Here's the lay of the land with a few rounds still to go. 40. Kings (1-18, no change) 39. Zebre... … [Read more...] about European rugby Power Rankings, week 23: Leicester surging at the right time once more