Super League update as Monaghan named Warrington captain

With the new Super League season not far away, Coral bring you an overview of the latest news with St Helens 7/2 to retain their crown.

Warrington, also 7/2 to win the Grand Final, have named Joel Monaghan as their captain after his brother Michael retired from playing at the end of last season. The 32-year-old, who was signed from NRL side Canberra in 2010, was the competition’s top try-scorer in 2014 and boss Tony Smith has been impressed with his attitude.

“Joel’s leadership qualities and knowledge of the game made him the stand-out candidate,” said Smith. “He’s developed as a leader and has become very influential within the group.”

Meanwhile, Castleford Tigers’ Andy Lynch has signed a new one-year contract extension with the West Yorkshire side and the 35-year-old who started his career at Wheldon Road before returning in 2013 after a eight years with the Bradford Bulls, couldn’t be happier.

“It wasn’t a hard decision – I snapped Castleford’s hand off. I was just so grateful when Danny approached me last year,” he revealed. “Leaving the club all those years ago, I really never imagined I’d come back and finish at home. I feels just like being a little kid again.”

Sean Long has said that his return to Super League side St Helens feels like “coming home”.

“I’m loving here back here at Saints and great to be back home really,” he said. “I’ve spent a while at different clubs and different places and it’s been difficult, I’ll level with you. It’s great to be back and it just feels like a seamless transaction to just come back here to the team. For me the standard at this club, no disrespect, is a lot better than other places I’ve been to.”

Although there is no particular role set out for him at the club, part of Long’s job will be to identify new talent in the ranks that could play in the first team.

“I’ll work with the kids on a Monday night, the under-19s, just trying to bring talent through,” he added. “But also I’ll work with the half-backs individually, I’ll take them for 15 minutes of a session and work with them – and then I’ll do the kicking as well.”