A new Rugby League monthly is set to hit the newsagents on 13th July, when the first edition of Forty-20 magazine makes its appearance.

The publication is the brainchild of Scratching Shed Publishing Ltd co-founders Tony Hannan and Phil Caplan, who said: "We think there is a demand within rugby league for a different type of product, not to mention an alternative editorial voice.

"We aim to build a reputation for quality writing from a different range of perspectives, and are looking to recapture the zeal and excitement of the original Open Rugby, but with a magazine tailored to the 21st century."

Forty-20 will initially run at 48 pages and features thought-provoking articles by some of the game's most respected writers and best-known personalities - including former Bradford, Wigan, Crusaders and Great Britain coach Brian Noble, Castleford star Richard Mathers and St Helens's Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook - with more to follow.

It will have face-to-face interviews with Rugby League's most engaging characters, be they in the European Super League, Australasian NRL or anywhere else in the world.

"In Forty-20 magazine we intend to value every rugby league club or nation whatever their geography or playing standard, from Barrow to Brighton, Bradford to Belgrade, Perpignan to Parramatta to Papua New Guinea," added Hannan, the magazine's editor-at-large.

"We will be offering a wide-ranging and open-minded publication that is bright and witty, punchy and intelligent. We will grapple with the big debates and explore front-line and behind the scenes issues. We will take Rugby League seriously, but not too seriously.

"And given how Forty-20 is a rugby league magazine for the 21st century, we will also encourage the talents of young and aspiring writers, photographers and illustrators."

Managing editor Caplan went on: "We have been incredibly heartened by the number of advance subscriptions taken out, which is an indication that there is a need for a different perspective reflecting the sport. Their geographical spread - from Barnsley to Newport, Kirkintilloch to Barnstable, New South Wales to Milton Keynes - is further evidence of its current wider appeal that we will endeavour to cater for."

[size=150Forty-20 will come out on the 13th day of each month - an appropriate date for rugby league. Priced £2.95, it will be available from newsagents and on line via [urlhttp://www.scratchingshedpublishing.co.uk/magazine/[/url.[/size


An app edition is also being produced.

Looking forward to this and i hope it proves a success!

\i think the cover might put people off

got all the sales blurb and details of it this morning, looks lile it will be widely available across Menzies distribution area

"We aim to build a reputation for quality writing from a different range of perspectives"

Not sure where Angela Powers sits in regards the former but the latter will be sure to feature the inadequacies of baby changing facilities within SL.

Will it be available in WH Smiths or is it a case of local newsagents only?

I was wondering this myself.

WHsmiths in london please!

Will it be available to subscribe, rather than going out every month to buy one.

Took a punt on a subscription.. hope it is worth it!!

It wasn't availble in whsmiths in the Manchester arndale this morning, I will try again tomorrow, maybe I was too early!!

Has anyone actually seen a copy yet?

No sign in any local newsagents round here, or in Morrisons 5 Lane Ends

Couldnt get it in WHsmith at showcase cinema Leeds!! does this mag actually exist!!

No sign at WHS in London either also no option to buy individual issue on the website

Typical rugby league. Announce the arrival of something and then totally fail to deliver it!

No sign of it in WH Smith in St Helens or Warrington today, nor in a newsagents in Warrington which sells RL mags/papers regularly. The guy there said that the distributor is rubbish. Instead of contacting outlets, the outlets have to chase them. So if no-one is asking for it, it doesn't get delivered as store managers don't know about every new publication available.

I see from the Wire board that Wolfware has stocked it. Why on earth don't Saints stock RL publications?

Picked it up in the local newsagent under the office on the way in this morning.
How easy it was. Don't get near the major shops during the week so it couldn't have worked out better.

Yes, I am feeling sort of smug.

If it isn't available through major chains but is in local newsagents then how stereotypically Rugby League is that?

Delivered to my door this morning. Not read past the Noble column yet but so far so good.

Articles good, but if you are from the North West especially a follower of any NW Championship club, you'll be disappointed bar a feature on The Hilton Park pub. Definite Yorkshire leanings in this first edition

+1

WH Smiths Oxford Street (Plaza) now have it......got mine this afternoon

Better late than never. lol
I got mine on the first day of issue (13th) from our local newsagents. They had it proudly showing on the counter. I thought it was a very good and interesting read. will be getting issue 2

thanks mate

will pick it up tomorrow.

Of course it was late getting on the shelves down here in expansionland !!! The delivery driver was a Wigan fan and got lost once he'd left the M62



A good read so far...........still on page 3 at the moment lol

About 12 copies on the shelf when I was there this afternoon

Didnt see it in WHSmiths in Wakey the other day?