danny tickle

Four players from Huddersfield and Hull KR have been added to Tony Smith's England train-on squad for the end-of-season internationals. Giants hooker Scott Moore and prop Eorl Crabtree as well as Hull KR full-back Shaun Briscoe and winger Peter Fox will join the party on Monday. The players have been called up by Smith after their clubs were eliminated from the Super League play-offs.  

Salford half-back Stefan Ratchford was the surprise inclusion when England coach Tony Smith announced the first batch of players for his Four Nations train-on squad. The 21-year-old utility player began the season as a virtual unknown, with only four Super League appearances to his name, but emerged as the shining light in the Reds' difficult first season back in the top flight. Ratchford played in Salford's last 22 matches, filling most positions in the back division but taking over from the Warringt  

The Bulls' late season surge failed to save them from missing the play-offs for the first time in Super League, their efforts on Humberside rendered irrelevant by the Catalan Dragons surprise 24-12 win at St Helens. "You can never tell when it's out of your hands, but we've not lost out because of what's happened tonight," said the Bradford coach, Steve McNamara. "Earlier in the season we lost a lot of matches we should have won."  

Amos Roberts and George Carmont scored two tries each as Wigan secured a home tie in the Super League play-offs. Roberts opened the scoring for Wigan but Hull responded through former Wigan man Danny Tickle who added the extras. Carmont touched down and Pat Richards kicked the first of five goals to give Wigan a 10-6 lead at half-time.  

England winger Ryan Hall grabbed a brace of tries as defending Super League champions Leeds put one hand on the League Leaders' Shield with an 18-10 win over St Helens. Victory in a gripping Grand Final re-match that lived up to all expectations in front of a 19,997 Headingley crowd took the Rhinos two points clear of their arch rivals with one round of the regular season left to play. It means Leeds need only avoid a heavy defeat in their last match at lowly Salford next Friday to ensure they go into  

Wigan coach Brian Noble is set to field the team that beat Warrington and Castleford, with centre Karl Pryce and hooker Mike McIlorum set to miss out. Hull have former Wigan second-rower Danny Tickle available after over-turning a two-match ban but utility back Jordan Tansey is suspended. Tommy Lee and Mike Burnett remain suspended by the club pending a disciplinary investigation.  

Wigan Warriors have named an unchanged squad for Friday evening's engage Super League fixture with Hull FC at the DW Stadium. Brian Noble looks set to stick with the same starting line-up that was on duty for the Warriors' 29-26 success over Castleford Tigers last time out. Wigan have already secured their play-off spot but will looking to sign off in style in their final home game of the regular season.

We are going to be down on numbers once again on Friday as since the Harlequins game we have lost players to RFL suspension, and of course the unfortunate situation of two players being suspended by the club   -Richard Agar

 

Fa'asavalu, above, suffered the break in the win at Warrington in July and Saints have missed his impact off the bench. But coach Mick Potter will be without international second-rower Jon Wilkin because of a knee injury which could harm his Four Nations chances. "He couldn't get through training today," said Potter.

He couldn’t get through training today   -Mick Potter

 

Hull second rower Danny Tickle is set to continue his ever-present Super League record this season after winning an appeal against a two-match ban. Tickle was suspended after being found guilty of making a dangerous tackle in his side's 26-6 win over Harlequins. However, the forward's ban was reduced to one match by an appeals panel.  

Rugby League authorities have warned three players following high tackles in Saturday's Carnegie Challenge Cup final. Warrington captain Adrian Morley, team-mate Louis Anderson and Huddersfield hooker Scott Moore have received formal letters of warning. Morley received his letter after a tackle on Giants second rower Stephen Wild, Anderson for a challenge on Jamahl Lolesi and Moore over a high tackle on Lee Briers.