Scorchio. Kieran Dixon just scored a brilliant individual try and converted for 6-6. He’s been such a good player, one of the best from London I reckon

This is a new experience - watching rugby at Oldham and wishing I’d brought sun cream. Lovely guard of honour for Paul Crarey before his record breaking 350th match - and Barrow ahead 6-0 early doors

Do we want sport or a game show? | The Observer Trend toward prioritising ‘entertainment’ isn’t just rule tampering, but a fundamental change in the nature of sport

Simon Barnes a good read as ever, whether on sport or nature. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Ashes Test here in November - wow

Enjoyable Saturday morning scuffle in the Roosters-Dolphins game - and nice use of “it’s on for young and old” by michael Ennis

Wales name squad for England match on Saturday - Wales Rugby League Wales head coach Tom Brindle has named his 19-player squad to face England at The Lextan Gnoll on Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm). There are just three changes to the Wales squad from their win over Scotla...

Refreshing as ever to see the enthusiasm for RL in South Wales - could be perfect fixture for England rebuilding after Vegas

wrl.wales/wales-name-s...

New faces for England Wheelchair in selection for Australia tour

More than one RL Ashes series this autumn - very much hoping these Tests will be broadcast from Oz www.rugby-league.com/article/6407...

Top man - good luck Joe - hopefully still the odd trip to Grace Road to watch the mighty Foxes

BBC Radio Wales - Roy Francis: Wales' Black Leader in a White World The first black man to coach a professional league and cup-winning sports team in Britain.

Radio alert! If you missed it the first time around, 'Roy Francis: Wales' Black Leader in a White World' - my BBC radio documentary - will be broadcast again on BBC Radio Wales next Monday at 6.30pm. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Paul Crarey and John Kear hit coaching milestones

Probably a bit sentimental - but grabbed the chance to write something about two blokes who have added so much to the sport

www.rugby-league.com/article/6407...

Is there anything less fathomable than the geography of Wythenshawe?

And then to watch University Challenge. Edinburgh seemed a very good bunch (impressively rather than annoyingly bright)

Those scenes of India celebrating at The Oval, and Gill talking about Leeds and Manchester, feel so important for Test cricket. Imagine the Indian youngsters who will now want to emulate Siraj and Jadeja over a five Test series as well as playing IPL.
(Also great to have highlights on bbc)

St Helens remembers one of its finest

This Warriors v Dolphins game is terrific - fingers crossed for Herbie hamstring - 10 weeks til Wembley?

The man who gave me this (unnecessarily, but typically generously) for giving his son the occasional lift to footy, was celebrated this week at Southern Cemetery and the Bowling Green. Cheers, Mark - an inspiring man

Allan Ahlberg, beloved children's author, dies aged 87 Working first with his wife Jane, and later with illustrators including Raymond Briggs and Bruce Ingman, he wrote more than 150 books

And I don’t think many authors have given me more pleasure than this guy - reading Peepo, Each Peach Pear Plum and many others to the kids. Never knew he was from Midlands. Proper genius
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...

Lancs 363 for 15 and likely to lose another div 2 game to Glamorgan; Bolton’s Haseeb Hameed run out for a Div 1 double century for Notts against Somerset. Chuffed for Has, and for Notts, but something has gone wrong there for Lancs?

Hull KR: Hooker Bill Leyland signs contract extension until 2028 Hull KR hooker Bill Leyland has signed a contract extension with the Super League leaders until 2028.

I love this story. Yet another example of the talent that lies beyond the M62 - nurtured initially by Mike Eccles and London, and now by an enlightened northern club with the right environment www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

Ray French: icon who spread good word of rugby league beyond the north The legendary player and commentator, whose death was announced on Saturday, bridged gap between codes with his generosity and infectious love for both sports

Hard to do Ray justice - I think this does www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-...

Durham v Surrey, Yorkshire v Sussex, and more: county cricket day one – live Join Tanya Aldred for day one coverage of the latest round of County Championship fixtures

Oh to be in Scarborough…https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2025/jul/29/durham-v-surrey-yorkshire-v-sussex-and-more-county-cricket-day-one-live

Was thinking of Mickey watching Harry, his son, on the wing for Swinton this afternoon. Cracking player, great bloke, good luck

Worse places to be on a Sunday afternoon than Heywood Road (with cricket on the radio). Louie Roberts opened the scoring for Swinton, Luis Roberts just replied for Midlands Hurricanes - confusing. Half time 10-4 to Swinton

Ray French – one of the best blokes

Raymond - he said his mum and Maurice Lindsay were the only two people who ever called him that - beautifully remembered by Dave Woods. Truly a one-off
www.rugby-league.com/article/3574...

Among many reasons to love The Fell, tonight’s soundtrack seems to be Black Sabbath all the way - currently playing Changes, which I’ve never heard before but is sounding great

Great tries from Wade and Lewis (and Coates), great wins for FC, KR (and Toulouse). Good to be back, after an unforgettable Hautacam experience

What a player he was. As Gavin suggests, a shame he didn’t accept one of the NRL offers when in his prime - could surely have made a Burgess / Graham / Hanley style impact
www.theguardian.com/sport/no-hel...

"Je pense à mon père et mon grand-père": Bernard Guasch, président des Dragons Catalans, va recevoir la Légion d’honneur - ici Bernard Guasch, figure du monde économique perpignanais et président emblématique des Dragons Catalans, va être élevé au rang de chevalier de la Légion d’honneur. Il fait partie des quatorze personnal...

Just been alerted to this - feels like a big deal, given history of RL in France - a treiziste Sir Billy? www.francebleu.fr/infos/societ...

Origin’s series-defining moment offers an antidote to rugby league’s performative masculinity | Jonathan Howcroft While men’s sport can often be a proxy for authentic human connection, Cameron Munster and Billy Slater show there is another way

Hard not to think of Sinfield and Burrow reading this. Would be a privilege to see Munster in a Kangaroos jersey at Wembley in October

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/j...

Just caught up with weekend Super League highlights and specifically Lachie Miller try for Leeds at Hull KR. Thought Stu Pyke commentary worth a mention - nailed it 👏👏