Anger at no knighthoods in 130 years

Rugby league authorities say their players have been “poorly treated” by the honours system, as pressure grows for a first knighthood or damehood for the sport.

The sport has gone 130 years without such an honour.

“It is surprising and disappointing that the relevant authorities have still not deemed anyone worthy of a knighthood or damehood for their services to rugby league,” said a spokesperson for the Rugby Football League, which governs the sport.

The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, added his voice, telling BBC News the lack of rugby league knighthoods “cannot be right” when other sports, including rugby union, have had such honours “quite…