Leeds Rhinos will be without their accomplished right-winger Scott Donald, not just for Sunday's World Club Challenge against Melbourne Storm, but for the next three months. Donald has been told he needs a shoulder reconstruction after suffering the injury against Salford last weekend.

Hull KR could be forced to clip the wings of their mascot, Rufus the Robin, after complaints about his behaviour at the derby match against Hull last month.

Greg Eastwood will finally make his Leeds debut on Friday, more than a year after he was originally scheduled to do so. The Kiwi forward, who played in New Zealand's 2008 World Cup-winning team, was meant to join the Rhinos the following season, but the move was held up by visa problems.

Preparations for the coming season have been badly disrupted by the heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures across the north of England. Clubs are facing the prospect of starting their Super League campaigns with only one friendly match under their belts – and that's if they are lucky.

Australia's player of the year, Jarryd Hayne, believes that the danger of missing a major final for the first time since 1954 will galvanise him and his fellow countrymen this weekend.

Sean Long has been warned that he faces action from the Rugby League over betting allegations in his newly-published autobiography.

Leeds will summon up the memory of one of their all-time greats as they try to reach Old Trafford for the third year running.

Richie Myler has officially become rugby league's most expensive teenager, but insisted that the tag will not be a burden to him. The Salford and England scrum-half was finally unveiled at Warrington yesterday, after weeks of conjecture.

Salford must rethink their recruitment for next season after Brad Drew opted at the last minute to join Huddersfield instead.

Two clubs still harbouring play-off ambitions have what could be their best chance of forcing their way into the top eight today.