The Rugby League Blogger

 Well, it's Challenge Cup weekend again. This time it is Round 2 of the 2022 edition. We see League 1 teams enter the competition but the biggest game of the round involves none of them- that title falls to the Army v Navy. It is the first time two of the royal services will face off in the Challenge Cup. This game is also the first time the Navy have made it to the second round of this prestigious competition since 2014. It will be played at Aldershot Military Ground, home of the Royal Army. The Sportsman will show the game live tomorrow (Saturday 29th January 2022) with kick off at 2pm. There is clearly plenty riding on this game and there'll be great talent on show. Over the years, plenty of players who represented the royal forces have gone on to play professionally, both here and overseas. Therefore, in celebration of tomorrow's game, below are some players who have gone on from the royal services to professional clubs and competitions. Ratu Siva Naulago The Fijian Fly...

  Exclusive Interview with Jodie Broughton (Thursday 6th January 2022) Hello and welcome to my first blog post. I think its a very good one to start with too as I have an exclusive interview with Jodie Broughton! Jodie Broughton is an ex-Hull FC, Salford Red Devils, Huddersfield Giants, Oldham, Catalans Dragons, Toulouse Olympique, Halifax Panthers and Batley Bulldogs player; a true rugby and Super League stalwart. He retired at the end of the 2021 season, aged 33. He retired in Batley's Championship play off semi final, a game which they lost 51-12 to Toulouse. The free scoring winger scored 140 tries in a career that spanned 13 years and 218 first team appearances. I asked him a range of questions about his career and plans for the future. How did you find moving to France to play for Catalans as I imagine it was quite different to playing to Huddersfield? "It was a really daunting move to be honest, I hadn't ever wanted to live anywhere else other than Leeds or Manches...