General ESL 2018

[matiunz]

All ESL games, plus Toronto v Toulouse, are part of the two day 'magic weekend'. The venue for all these games as last year is Newcastle United's St James Park.

Managed to watch the Toronto v Toulouse game, looks like the wolf pack will be the one to go up (if any)

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

Managed to watch the Toronto v Toulouse game, looks like the wolf pack will be the one to go up (if any)

Based on this weekends performances I think Salford could be in big trouble at the end of the season. They were devoid of ideas with the ball and on defence quite frankly looked a bit powderpuff. If they continue to play like that and the teams beneath them show some form, Huddersfield and Catalans are picking up, they could be the team to go

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

Wane to leave Wigan coaches job at the end of this season
https://www.rugby-league.com/article/52464/wane-to-depart-wigan

Wigan Warriors announce the resignation of Shaun Wane as Head Coach of Wigan Warriors to take effect at the end of the 2018 season when he will leave the Club after a long and successful 30-year association.

Shaun made his First Team debut in 1982 and played 150 games for Wigan under his heritage number of 779, memorably winning the Man-of-the-Match award in the Wigan World Club Challenge victory over Manly in 1987.

After finishing his playing career with spells at Leeds and Workington, he returned to Wigan as a scout in 1998 and started his coaching career in 2000 with the Scholarship squad. He progressed to become Head Coach of the Academy and Reserve Teams, consistently developing and bringing through to the First Team a steady stream of young players. He joined the First Team coaching staff as Assistant Coach to Michael Maguire in 2010 and, in his two years as Assistant Coach, helped Wigan win the Super League Grand Final, Challenge Cup Final and League Leader’s Shield.

He was appointed as Head Coach by Ian Lenagan in 2012 to succeed Michael Maguire and in the last six seasons has led Wigan to success in all four Rugby League trophies winning the Challenge Cup, League Leader’s Shield, World Club Challenge and two Super League Grand Finals.

He is Wigan’s longest-serving coach of the Super League era and the 5th longest-serving Wigan coach of all time.

Chairman Ian Lenagan commented:

"Shaun Wane will leave Wigan Rugby League Club in the knowledge that his place in Wigan’s history is guaranteed. I feel certain that his decision to leave will have been a difficult one but he is a winner who wants to advance his career and challenge himself further on a different stage, having won everything with Wigan.

“He has developed from being a tough and uncompromising Rugby League prop in his playing days to become an equally tough and uncompromising Head Coach but with exceptional technical, tactical and player-motivational skills and a fearsome winning mentality.

“He has provided Wigan Rugby League Club with some memorable moments in the past six years and I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey that we have been on together. I have immense respect and admiration for Shaun as a Coach and would be delighted to see him sign off his 7th year as Wigan Head Coach with yet more trophies.

“I feel sure the Wigan fans will join me in ensuring that Shaun gets the appropriate send-off that he so richly deserves.

“In terms of a replacement, Wigan will not rush into an appointment as Shaun goes on to complete his final season.”

Shaun Wane said:

“Regrettably I have decided to announce my resignation as Head Coach of Wigan Warriors with the 2018 season being my last in charge. Throughout my playing and coaching career I have enjoyed unparalleled success in all areas.

“The town of Wigan and the Club will always remain special to me however I feel that now is the right time for me to seek a new challenge and direction in my professional career. As Head Coach, I have taken the Club to six major finals, winning three, given debuts to 37 players from the Wigan Academy and won a World Club Challenge, to name but a few.

“These accolades have given me both personal and professional satisfaction and the memories will remain with me evermore.

“During my career, I have made many special friends with players, past and present, coaching staff, office staff and management and I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to you all for the support that you have afforded me, without which the success may not have been so great.

“I would also like to publicly express my sincere thanks for the incredible support from my wife Lorraine and my daughters Bethan and Megan throughout my whole career, which at times has been incredibly difficult both on and off the field, especially the last two years.

“On a final point, I would like to thank all of the players, coaching and medical staff, the loyal Wigan fans, Club Chairman, Ian Lenagan, Club Director Kris Radlinski and Head of Performance, Mark Bitcon for helping me achieve a truly memorable and successful 30 years.

“I have one last task to complete and that is to bring home as much silverware as possible this season.”

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

St Helens are looking a class apart this season.

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

A big game in grassroots Rugby League tomorrow afternoon, a West Cumbrian derby in the Conference



Televised on a community channel as well

In other news, Denis Betts has been sacked as Widnes coach, about time as he's been useless

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

Wigan have now lost three in a row, albeit one was in the cup QF

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jun/07/wakefield-wigan-super-league-match-report

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

The qualifiers are shaping up to be interest this year.

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

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The Warrington v Castleford game was tremendous. Great advert for the game

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

Super League announced this morning that the end of season 'middle eights' league and play off format is being changed in 2019 to a straight one up one down promotion and relegation between ESL and championship. However, RFL and some ESL clubs say this isn't agreed

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/44468711

What a pigs ear!

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

 

[matiunz]

Wow west wales average score 6-84, bottom of the worst league

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

Wow west wales average score 6-84, bottom of the worst league

Luckily there is no relegation from League 1.

Shame really, as there are sides playing on other leagues in England who are much better than the expansion teams.

 

[razzrillinger]

What's the plan for travel for when/if the Toronto Wolfpack move up to Super League?