Rugby League news: Former Hull FC halfback Tony Smith joins Leeds Rhinos, England test interest

The Rugby League World Cup is over. Australia won the tournament. England lost in the semi-final to Samoa. Rugby Live looks at England's campaign and how they need to build going into the next World Cups in France come 2025.

Ryan Brierley will have knee surgery next Tuesday and will be out for over four months. Briers will miss the start of the season for Salford Red Devils. Salsfield trained today with only 12 players due to injury and delayed returns of players.

Jordan Lane returned to training after playing twice for England Knights in the Autumn. Head coach Tony Smith believes Lane will add to the team. He is a big personality within the squad and well-liked.

Tony Smith has joined Leeds Rhinos as an academy coach. He will replace Chev Walker who was promoted to the first team. Chev was the coach of the Rhines' academy team that won the Grand Final in September.

Penrith Panthers want at least $100,000 to play the World Club Challenge against St Helens in 2023. Penriths want an additional $200,00 for winning the 2022 Grand Final over Parramatta Eels. Prize money had been cut in half following the Covid-19 pandemic.

England will play in next year's European Championships. Shaun Wane's side will take part in the Euro A competition. Euro B competition will be played between Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Norway and Ukraine. There will also be a wheelchair competition taking place. The full calendar for the game will run through to the 2033 World Cup. The fixtures for Euro C are already announced.

Matt Parish wants Samoa to play a series of rugby league matches against England in the coming years. The RFL is keen on hosting Tests in Autumns of 2023 and 2024. New Zealand is also on the radar.   The Kiwis are expected to come to the UK next year.

Ryan Millar has been offered to other Championship clubs. He scored eight tries in 21 games for Bradford Bulls last season. Millard played for Sheffield Eagles for seven seasons. He was part of the 1895 Cup-winning side at Wembley.

Catalans Dragons are looking for new players ahead of the new Super League season. General manager Alex Chan says the squad is not finished. Steve McNamara's side lost at the first stage of play-offs last season and most of their squad was on World Cup duty. They are currently at 25 players and have quota spots available. They will bring their players back together for pre-season after the World cup.

Hull FC's new Australian duo Tex Hoy and Jake Clifford will soon take the long-haul flight to the UK to start fresh chapters in Super League. The former Newcastle Knights pair are two parts of a new, exciting spine at the Black and Whites next season. Clifford is recovering from a broken arm and Hoy is fresh and raring to go.

Ligi Sao is impressed with new head coach Tony Smith. Sao will spend some time with his girls before returning to training. Sao's next job is to put Hull FC in a good position to play at Old Trafford. Former Hull halfback TonySmith is interested in joining Leeds Rhinos.