Wakey set to get boot from Super League
Trinity's history will count for little today as they will lose top-flight status when clubs' fate is revealed
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Your support makes all the difference.The Rugby League is set to announce the 14 clubs that will contest the next three seasons of Super League at Old Trafford today. The result of the League's licensing process is a closely guarded secret, but Wakefield have called a press conference for immediately afterwards, which does not bode well for fans hoping they are given a stay of execution.
Meanwhile, the Warrington coach, Tony Smith, has expressed a measure of disappointment but no surprise that the Rugby League is taking no action over the tackle that infuriated him at the weekend. David Solomona was taken off with knee damage after what Smith believed was a so-called "cannonball" tackle by Wigan's Andy Coley in their Challenge Cup quarter-final at the Halliwell Jones on Saturday.
The controversial technique involves a player being held upright by two tacklers, whilst a third man attacks the knee joint. Smith called it "nasty and unnecessary" after the match, but the RFL's match review panel ruled that there was no case to answer when they viewed the incident yesterday.
"Maybe we all have to use the technique and damage each other's players," Smith said. "I've nothing against Andy Coley, but it's going to be career-ending for someone."
Fortunately, that someone does not seem to be Solomona. He has been sent for a scan, but his medial ligament injury is not as severe as first thought. Two Warrington players, Simon Grix and Ryan Atkins, have been issued with cautions for dangerous throws, both on Lee Mossop, during the same match. Hull KR's Blake Green has also been cautioned for a dangerous lift on Jon Wilkin during the quarter-final defeat by St Helens.
Stefan Ratchford looks certain to leave Salford at the end of the season after his agent told the club that he does not intend to sign the new contract they have offered him. Warrington are the favourites to sign the utility back, re-uniting him with his old Salford half-back partner, Richie Myler.
Warrington and Doncaster, meanwhile, are set to stage the semi-finals of the Carnegie Challenge Cup. Wigan and St Helens will meet at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday 6 August, while Leeds and Castleford will clash at the 13,000-capacity Keepmoat the following day.
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