Forty20 Rugby League Podcasts

After finals day at Wembley, what do you think we spend most of the programme talking about? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Headingley, Forty20's Phil Caplan speaks to Professor Tony Collins about his new book, Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader, on the life and times of one of Rugby League's most significant historical figures, from his playing days, move into coaching and influence, as well as the issues he faced on and off the field. They are also joined by one of Roy's sons, Ian, who shares some of his recollections of his father. The book is available now, and make sure you order it from your local independent book shop! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An episode that genuinely goes on for longer than we thought, which we're blaming on James turning up about half-an-hour in. Everything that happened last week, that we watched, and Wembley thoughts... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happened last week on the pitch, Phil goes to London, Steve McNamara's in limbo, and the illustrious history of the Championship Shield... VOTE: https://www.nationaltvawards.com/vote/category/authored-documentary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the Celtic Cup this Saturday, as Wales host Scotland and defending champions Ireland in Cardiff for three games of Wheelchair RL in one day. Phil Roberts of Ireland and Wales' Alan Caron join us to look ahead to the event, and the state of the game in their nations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a week where not much news has happened yet, Phil prepares to try a Lamington in London, Richard muses over buying a "Rudge Mode" t-shirt, a present arrives in the studio, and there's plenty of on -field action to go through as the Wembley line-up is complete, Hull KR and Wigan remain top, the Warriors Women impress again, and we all have a fun time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

JAMES CHILD IS BACK! So, plenty to talk about with him, and where he's been, plus, Challenge Cup semi-finals and other bits and pieces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some magic occurred in Newcastle, Cup excitement on the horizon, and news, of which, there isn't much. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Women's Challenge Cup semi-finals approach this weekend, St. Helens forward Emily Rudge joins us on the podcast to discuss the game against York Valkyrie, "home advantage" and how that could be changed, the state of the women's game in general, England, Vegas and social media, for good and bad... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The pre-Magic Weekend action, inconsistencies and why Catalans REALLY (we think) aren't in the Wheelchair Challenge Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A special Tuesday edition of the programme in which we talk about the Easter Rugby League action, and wonder if the Catholic Church works like the RFL when choosing a new leader.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With World Cups on the horizon in the Wheelchair and PDRL games in 2026, this season is another big opportunity for all those involved, on and off the pitch. Add in to that LDSL, and it was a busy morning when we went to the RFL's Inclusion Season Launch in Manchester... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A lot of things have happened and a lot of things have not happened. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We spoke to plenty of people at last week's Women's Season Launch in Leigh, and you can hear from them here! York Valkyrie: Lindsay Anfield St. Helens: Phoebe Hook & Craig Richards Cardiff Demons: Ffion Jenkins Sheffield Eagles: Andrea Dobson Barrow Raiders: Amanda Wilkinson Wigan Warriors: Denis Betts & Izzy Rowe Leeds Rhinos: Bella Sykes & Lois Forsell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People flock to see Challenge Cup rugby, we've been at a couple of launches, and some other stuff has probably happened we need to talk about... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rugby League and Politics have gone hand in hand from day one, and before that meeting at The George in 1895. Current Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for RL, which isn't easy to say, is MP for St. Helens North David Baines, who joined us to talk about what the group does, what they can't do, and his thoughts on the sport and relationships between it and those who run the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kingston-upon-Hull lead the way, Will Pryce is back, a drop goal masterclass in France, but do we want them? (The French that is.) Also: more shenanigans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another normal week in the world of Thoroughbred Rugby League, as Leeds geld Wigan, both Hull's impress, and there's some statements that you could say have come from the back end of a horse, but we, of course, wouldn't... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Challenge Cup and Coups, the Hull FC revival and remembering a Cup King.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It seems apt, at the moment, to dig into the archives once again, and here, from September 2017, is the appearance of then RFL CEO Nigel Wood in the Radio Yorkshire studio... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We'd like to run the RFL but, like Newcastle Knights, we'd probably mess it up...a month into the Super League season, and the on-field stuff is certainly in a better place then some of the off-field dramas... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens in Vegas, gets discussed in North Leeds (apart from the things that stay in Vegas.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite the fact we won't be in Las Vegas, we're quite excited for the events there, and, after an unpredictable first week of Super League, everything was almost back to normal for week two...James Child is back. and there's plenty to talk about! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A quiet week, on and off the pitch, with nothing to talk about....apart from a 1-0 opener, Salford's selections and a coup attempt! John Davidson returns to pick the bones out of it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Super League is around the corner, an England squad is announced, and there was plenty going on in the Challenge Cup to talk about, so join us for that, and special guest, Leeds Rhinos Head of Youth John Bastian in the studio too... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A bonus episode as we head to the Midlands to talk Rugby League with Michael Shires on how the game is growing there at the moment, the Hurricanes, Coventry Bears, the rise of Try Tag Rugby, the Challenge Cup, Student RL and his upcoming trip to Vegas. Plenty to fit in to half an hour... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does Rugby League have an issue with communication? What's happening at Salford? Huddersfield moving to Halifax? Secret draws, Challenge Cup moves and more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jonathan Doidge joins us to talk the latest issues in Rugby League, as we head towards the new professional season, there's plenty going on at Salford, London, the disciplinary and in the Challenge Cup... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After we'd all been chatting to various members of the Leeds Rhinos at their media day, we gathered all the journalists who like us, and anyone else we could find, for a bonus discussion in the cafe at Headingley. Joining Phil and Richard are, Steve Mascord, Ross Heppenstall, Louis Chapman-Coombe and John Davidson to talk whatever Rugby League topics were on their minds, including Vegas, Jordan Abdull's departure from Hull FC, the future of Marc Sneyd, social media stars and more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've already forgotten some of the winners of things in Rugby League in 2024, fear not! From Sheffield to Leeds, with trips to Wembley, Old Trafford, St. Helens and Hull in between, those who were victorious spoke to us after they picked up silverware and medals... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the tradition of Morecambe & Wise, The Two Ronnies and, erm, Mrs. Brown's Boys, welcome to our Christmas Show. A special guest filled spectacular as World Cup winner James Simpson, Mongolia's no. 1 radio presenter Martin Kelner, Phil's dad Geoff and It's Not A Toy's Ian Boldsworth join us for some Rugby League and other nonsense... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There's some big shoes to fill at Sheffield Eagles, and it's Craig Lingard who'll be doing so. The former head coach of Castleford Tigers has taken on the role in South Yorkshire, after club legend Mark Aston left the role. He told us why he took on the job, what he learned from his time as a coach in Super League, making changes at the Eagles, how it's been easier than he may have thought to assimilate himself and turns the tables on us.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following his Super League Young Player of the Year Award and Dream Team selection. Halifax Panthers' Rob Hawkins ended 2024 by being awarded the Golden Boot for his performances for England. He joined us to talk about winning the award, how the season went for him, those battles against France and what the future may hold... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As 2024 comes to an end, we welcome two guests to talk to us over Zoom this week. First up, St. Helens centre and England international Erin Stotts joins us to tell us how she got into Rugby League in the first place, starting off at Huddersfield, the hard work to stay in the national squad ahead of Vegas, moving to Saints, watching on at Wembley and playing there this year and how her mate Paige Travis will get on in the NRLW. Then, it's time to talk to Goole Vikings head coach Scott Taylor, as preparations continue ahead of their first season in the professional ranks. From building a squad, coaching philosophies and who he's been inspired by, the three time Challenge Cup winner also chats about their draw against London Broncos and much more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The season is over, so after a round-up of whatever news there is, it's time to look back on 2024. We'll be back live before Christmas! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Danika Priim makes her return from the studio, with plenty to talk about, which is surprising. Golden Boots, Hull FC's investment, WSL moves and the 745 Game amongst those topics.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Bentley, Luke Gale and Ben Thaler join us to look ahead to Sunday's 745 Game at Headingley - a hybrid of Rugby League and Union rules from an idea between Rob Burrow (7) and Ed Slater (4) encompassing their fellow player and MND campaigner Doddie Weir (5) You can find details on tickets for the game at https://tickets.therhinos.co.uk/content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When nothing much has happened, how do you still fill a podcast? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our not-end-of-season-review episode looks back on the matters arising from England's double header with Wales and Samoa, the Pacific Championships, Yorkshire/Lancashire AGAIN, Sheffield Eagles, IMG, and seeing if we could do the podcast from the Houses of Parliament... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A bumper episode, having spent most of the weekend in Wigan, as James Child returns, as does John Davidson and we're joined in the studio for the first time by Wheelchair Rugby League GM Martin Coyd OBE to talk about the internationals, IMG, the Sheffield Eagles/Mark Aston situation and plenty more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A World Cup winner with England in 2008, Martin Norris joins us to announce his retirement from Wheelchair Rugby League, and talk about his continued involvement at Hull FC, how the sport has changed since he started playing 20 years ago, quickly making his international debut, playing on a car park in France, and many more memories from a stellar career! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Looking ahead to internationals, history made at Belle Vue and an Alternative Rugby League Hall of Fame... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Superlatives for Wigan, Leeds, Hunslet and more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Hull KR prepare to face Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford, and Leeds Rhinos and Halifax Panthers check on the M62 traffic situation, we hear from all four sides, plus journalist John Seager, ahead of a busy weekend of Rugby League. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Looking ahead to the next two Grand Finals, after York kicked off the week winning the Women's one, Phil was at the awards and James is back! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A great weekend of Rugby League and hopes for another one coming up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The play-offs are set in the Men's Super League, the semis in the Wheelchair, and Grand Final in the Women's, plus a load of other rugby being played all over the place for us to talk about. Also, what's your favourite Rugby League noise? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a much busier weekend for Wigan's defence of their Super League title than when we arranged this, as Jack Heggie and his fellow Warriors will face Leeds Rhinos on Saturday, then a trip to Halifax on Sunday. We chatted about the games ahead,, their Grand Final win, and how this season matches up with 2023, and a load more things, like modelling England kits and banning himself from playing Football Manager... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

James is back with us to talk about a strange weekend in Super League, and plenty of other bits and pieces... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Seems we have more to talk about than you'd think... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices