League looks into crowd trouble at Featherstone

The Rugby League has launched an investigation into crowd trouble at the Northern Rail Cup semi-final between Featherstone and Halifax on Thursday.

The match, which went to golden point extra-time before being won 31-30 by Halifax, was followed by outbreaks of fighting in and around the ground and in Featherstone town centre.

The League says it has received no reports of trouble after the Castleford-Wigan match four days earlier. Cas, however, have been fined £500 for turning up with the wrong kit for their match against Huddersfield. There was a 25-minute kick-off delay while a colour clash problem was resolved.

The Huddersfield Giants coach, Nathan Brown, believes that he can cover for the loss of Danny Brough by reverting Luke Robinson to his original position. The first-choice scrum-half is expected to be out for at least two months after damaging ankle ligaments.

Last week, Brown drafted in the young reserve, Kyle Wood, for the shock defeat by Wakefield, but he has revealed that Robinson will fill that role against the Catalan Dragons tonight.

Not only does it mark a return to his regular position before he became a hooker for club and country, but he will also be playing alongside his half-back partner with both Wigan and the Giants, Kevin Brown.

"It's not as though we will be using an untried half-back combination for the next few months," his coach said. "It's one we know will work well."

Harlequins are in line to give Kyle Briggs, who is on loan from Bradford, his debut at home to Wakefield this afternoon. The London club, now without a win in 12 matches, also have their key man, Luke Dorn, back in their squad after injury.

Bradford, at home to Hull tomorrow, have announced the signing of the Newcastle Knights centre Keith Lulia on a two-year contract from next season. The Cook Islander played under the Bulls' coach, Mick Potter, in the lower grades at St George-Illawarra.

Bradford, who could go into the top eight for the first time this season, are also being linked with the New Zealand Warriors scum-half, Brett Seymour, but the word from the Antipodes is that he is more likely to sign for tomorrow's opponents.

If he does join Hull, that will reduce the chances of a new deal there for Sean Long, who is probably out for the rest of the season with a dislocated shoulder and then out of contract.

In the day's other Super League game, Warrington are another side who are trying to put a surprise defeat behind them. They go to Hull KR still smarting from an 18-16 home loss to Salford that ranks among the biggest upsets of the season so far.

Leigh seem to only have to hold their nerve to reach the final of the Northern Rail Cup and play Halifax next month. Having beaten Dewsbury 34-6 in the Championship last weekend they meet them again in the semi-final tomorrow.