National League kicks off without a sponsor
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The new National League structure will kick off on Good Friday without a sponsor. Professional clubs below Super League level are being split into two divisions, but the Rugby League has not yet found a backer for the revamped competitions following the winding-up of the Northern Ford Premiership.
"It's not as disappointing as it might seem," the League's executive chairman, Richard Lewis, said. "We've been very close and there has been a lot of interest, but our sense of the worth of what we have to offer is quite strong. We have discussed it with the clubs and they agree that we should wait for the right sponsorship." Lewis said that he was hopeful that a deal would be in place before the play-offs in the two divisions.
Karl Harrison, the coach of the favourites to win National League 1, Salford, says that there is no chance of them emulating Huddersfield, who won the NFP last season without losing a game, because this year's competition will be "more intense."
Paul Penrice has lost his job at the National League 2 club, Workington, after the Arriva Trains Cup defeat at the weekend by Gateshead Thunder – their first win in 48 games.
Castleford will be without their utility back, Mark Lennon, for two months after he was found to have broken his leg in the victory at London Broncos on Sunday. With good timing, Cas's other Australian half-back, Mitch Healey, should be fit to return from a hamstring injury for their next game, against Leeds next Thursday.
The Warrington coach, Paul Culleen, has talked to Scott Gibbs about a return to rugby league. The 32-year-old centre previously played for St Helens, but is out of contract at Swansea at the end of this season.
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