Toulouse two points clear at top of #superleague - and will end round two joint top with Wigan or Hull. Fantastic

Well that was a memorable night. As my passenger said somewhere on the A63, it’s been a great day for a Rovers-supporting republican.

Ready for a big night

The Spin | Lancashire’s new second home brings renewed hope and old grumbles

Enjoyed writing this for the World Club programme (which contains lots of very good stuff, courtesy @stevemascord.bsky.social Mike Latham, Steve Till and others). Intriguing prospect tomorrow www.superleague.co.uk/article/5817...

I know it’s complicated, but this seems outrageous. Still the most powerful (and upsetting) film I’ve seen since Covid at least www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...

Great White Egret on walk round Tatton today, plus Stonechat, Pochard, Goldeneye, Redwing. And Bob Harris playing Jackson Browne on the radio #sunday

Great weekend for French RL - Catalans and Toulouse both starting with wins, Toulouse at Wakey with a much more authentically French team and under the charming Monsieur Houles - and despite Cesar Rouge hitting post with three conversion attempts out of four, which must be a record? #superleague

Newton-le-Willlows. Birthplace of DP Hughes, handsome pavilion, grim floating apostrophe

Never thought I’d see the Millstone in the Guardian. Another great piece

Luke Littler just done a lap of honour and given a local hero’s welcome, but for once he’s been upstaged by another Warrington youngster - Cai Taylor-Wray sensational #superleague

Should be good tonight. Saints have 6 overseas in starting 13 plus Host on bench. Wire four and two.

Fascinating!

Facebook just reminded me that 15 years ago today Super League XVI kicked off with Magic in Cardiff - what a daft idea that was. Crusaders thrashed Salford with a team including 4 Welshmen - food for thought www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2...

It’s the singing Song Thrushes, rasping Greenfinches, start of Super League time of year - below link contains appreciation for Doncaster, Cas fans, Challenge Cup structure and Liam Hood www.totalrl.com/doncaster-te...

Very enjoyable, old fashioned winter cup tie - cas won 14-0, Donny terrific, 2700 crowd largely because of a cas following that I’d imagine is more than a fair few footy sides take to the eco power. And an appropriate man to remember at a dons-cas match

Ravalawa and qareqare on the wings for Cas, has an exciting ring to it - although maybe not the weather for it in drizzly Donny today

Pictures look great from Workington. 16k watching already and teams aren’t out yet. www.youtube.com/watch?v=h02u...

Happy #worldwetlandday to those who celebrate 🦆

Looking forward to a trip to Donny on Saturday - guessing Cas fans will travel in force www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

Only a little thing, but hats off to Warrington for naming starting 13 ahead of two trial games and now Friday’s Cup tie. So much more useful for media; I think fans will welcome also; and reflects a bit of confidence and clarity. warringtonwolves.com/news/2026/fe...

Good to see a lot of this at Victoria this morning

Peregrine flying into Manchester City centre from cornbrook tram station (I’m at cornbrook, peregrine in distance - for clarity) Nice start to February

Looks like an Oldham fan doing the rugby league tables at bbc tonight 😄 Sounds like a gutsy effort from salford second half - and great to see Tee Ritson back at Barrow scoring tries www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

Dewsbury one of the best places to just miss a train - especially on a Friday evening

Very much enjoyed both bits of Adrian Chiles gentle weekly ramblings catching up with yesterday’s Guardian. A nice contrast to all the shouty stuff

Amazing piece on Channel 4 News just now with Somali community in Minneapolis. Some inspirational people fighting back

And St Andrews graduate meets Wakefield royalty - fantastic stuff wakefieldtrinity.com/wakefield-tr...

As ever, loads of previously unknown nuggets from G Willacy

I miss the Watersheddings

Lancs just gone above yorks at top of garden birdwatch table 🌹 www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...

Bedford v North Wales - an unusual Challenge Cup tie. Great stuff from Gary Carter www.thesun.co.uk/sport/380076...

A penny for the thoughts of James Simpson-Hill MBE today. He’s never struck me as the hanging back type www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/a...

Remarkable, and fitting, celebration of Steve Brady today - uniquely Rugby League to celebrate @dragonscatalans.bsky.social in the heart of Lancashire (It’s not an MCC tie)

Nice surprise to hear Darren Lockyer talking about the Broncos on Radio 4 this morning - sandwiched between the latest Trump nonsense and a back scratching cow

Love this

Some thoughts on Friday night in Salford www.totalrl.com/salfords-nig...

Winstanley Warriors, a new part of Wigan for me, for a junior football game - foul weather but brilliant officials and fantastic attitude all round. Just wish they’d opened the tea bar

Refreshingly original season preview angle in @yorkshirepostsport.bsky.social www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

Beautiful obituary in today’s paper - wonder if he was FC or KR? www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

44/0 to Oldham, but rarely has the score felt less relevant - Salford fans seemed understandably chuffed to have their club back, Oldham relieved when a scary medical emergency involving one of their fans took a turn for the better, allowing the match to resume and be completed. Happy new season 🏉

Very healthy crowd building up at Salford - I managed to avoid coming here for most of last season but I’m guessing the mood is much more positive tonight. Decent Oldham travelling support as well

Looking forward to Salford v Oldham tonight as well

“A bit of shameless self-promotion now, at the risk of sounding like Nick Robinson” - Evan Davis a BBC jewel

My new hero, a car recovery guy, born Damascus, based Ardwick. Got car on truck with bewildering genius, and talked positively of progress in Syria on the ride to the garage. Doubtless the currently homeless R Jenrick would disapprove

The usual uplifting read from G Willacy www.theguardian.com/sport/no-hel...

Just arrived at the new home of football. Bring on Brentford ⚽️

Has anyone seen Eorl Crabtree and Trevor Lawrence in the same room? Sky NFL coverage so good

Written with the authenticity of a Kings Macc lad - fantastic www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Looking forward to this tomorrow - two admirable teams - and Neil Thorman still going strong for Warriors www.forcesnews.com/sport/rugby-...