Forty20 Rugby League Podcasts

After a busy couple of hours at Elland Road, it's time to talk some Rugby League, with a triple header at the home of Leeds United coming up on Saturday as St. Helens face Leeds Rhinos in the Women's Challenge Cup Final, while Saints men face Wigan, followed by Hull KR and Huddersfield in the men's semis. We're excited for three games which are tough to call, as well as a weekend of action just gone, which wasn't the best, as Leeds' new coach arrives, Bradford and Widnes are still looking for one, and Richard Agar's off to Samoa. Another quiet week... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's always good to welcome Steve Mascord back onto the podcast, a man with his fingers in so many Rugby League pies, he could be employed on the half-time segment on Premier Sports. He tells us about this weekend's Women's 9s event in Warrington and that part of the sport in general, helping out at the London Skolars. Zak Hardaker's move from Wigan to Leeds and plenty of other issues from our sport. As a special offer for you, if you haven't picked up a copy of Steve's latest book, Two Tribes, use the code: ZAKSBACK at shop.stevemascord.com and get a discount! https://shop.stevemascord.com/product/twotribes/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Talk about timing! Tony Smith quits (at the end of the season) while Rohan Smith arrives, the rumour mill is in full effect and some Rugby League happened as well. John Davidson is back in the studio, and Phil returns now he's changed his attitude... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As #RivalsRound approaches, the air of positivity remains around the podcast, and even John Davidson can't change that mood, as he's full of it too! We look back on a great weekend on the pitch, encouraging numbers on the terraces and looking in on telly, pressure on various coaches, adding more names to the Leeds shortlist, and much more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 weeks into the Super League season, and we're still feeling positive about most things Rugby League. What's that all about? As well as action on the field, we talk James Roby, a busy Sunday for us both at the Wheelchair and Women's games, Warrington's woes, good crowds, the debut of Cornwall and new home for Midlands, and a load of other stuff... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We were back live, and earlier than usual, as we'd been to Manchester to get an update on the World Cup, as Tuesday marks 200 days to go until the event kicks off in Newcastle. You can hear from RLWC2021 Supremo Jon Dutton after we've gabbed on about the weekend in the Challenge Cup, as Leeds remain in crisis and no clear route out of it, Warrington are on the verge of joining them after losing twice to Wakefield, Challenge Cup crowds are certainly there, depending on where you are, and no doubt some other exciting Rugby League topics to discuss... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Union is seen as a dirty word in Rugby League circles, but that's with "rugby" before it and not "trade" as it is in this case. We we're joined by Garreth Carvell, now full time with the Rugby League Players' Association, to talk about their role within the game, improving the lot for players, how the link with the GMB means their members have advantages over those in other sports, and about how the game hasn't gone soft, and needs to make more of the positives. Plenty to think about, as ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Leeds lose a coach, Will Pryce gets to sit on the sidelines for 10 games, and Toulouse "jeter un pavé dans la mare" in beating St. Helens, there's very little Rugby League for Phil and Richard to go at... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we spent yesterday talking not much Rugby League, here's a bonus with a brief look back at the weekend, talking points ahead of this week, yellow card fun and professionalism and more memories of Dave Hadfield... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the road again, and to the wonderful surroundings of Leeds Central Library to talk about the past, present, and hopes for the future of local sports reporting. Joining us, as part of Leeds Libraries 'Breaking the News' exhibition, were: Professor Tony Collins Tony Hannan Peter Smith Matthew Shaw Plenty of historical content, changes in the way media is consumed, the effect that has on the output we read, relationships between journalists and clubs, the next generation, and a potential return of the romanticism of the past - that's just some of the topics covered. We started though, on a sad note, reflecting on the life of Dave Hadfield, a presence in the press box, and life, will be sorely missed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Schoey has failed a head test (he was otherwise engaged), so we're back on pre-record via Zoom to talk about the latest in the world of Rugby League, such as the return of Ellery Hanley to the coaches box, Josh Charnley not knowing how to use the RFL's website (and RSW doing the same) alongside the return on the Wheelchair Super League, the start of the Women's Challenge Cup, and all the action on the field in Super League (men) and the Championship... JOIN US LIVE IN LEEDS: We'll be at Leeds Central Library on Tuesday March 15th to talk the past, present and future of local sports reporting. Tickets available here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents/local-sports-reporting-panel-event/e-vebvyy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Pancake Day, which means your favourite, erm, podcasters are back to talk some Rugby League. An England squad has been announced, for people to have something different to be annoyed by rather than the disciplinary, the ludicrous modern world where three games in, teams and coaches are already under pressure, and some valiant performances in defeat in the Challenge Cup come under the F20 microscope. Plus, all the action on the field we saw, and, if you missed it on YouTube, our chat with Cornwall's Harry Aaronson at the end as a bonus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"We don't upset people enough anymore." We seem to be much more calm this days, not getting caught up in nonsense and pointless arguments for the sake of it. We leave defending the indefensible to Martin Kelner when he's on Fighting Talk, so our discussion of Luke Gale's red card and subsequent ban, focusses less on his actions and more on the reactions. We don't get it. That starts off a look back at week two in Super League, with clubs already in crisis, key players missing leading to impressive performances, and that's the same in the Championship as well, albeit with less drama over under achievers and some tasty Challenge Cup ties to come. Plus, how a negative story for the sport was ignored for a kid in a car. It's a funny old game, as Greavsie used to say. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Super League is back. Everyone is positive, even one Garry Schofield OBE who was back too as we were live in The Phoenix Bar at the home for Hunslet RLFC, The South Leeds Stadium in front of a live audience to talk some Rugby League, including those opening fixtures. Schoey also pays tribute to those we have lost recently, including his old GB team mate Des Drummond and "Mr. Hull" Johnny Whiteley. Not just The Legend though, joining us straight from training was coach Alan Kilshaw to look at Hunslet's season so far, the upcoming League One campaign and building a club in the shadow of giants. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the 2022 Betfred Super League season got underway, we were live in the studio once more to look ahead to St. Helens winning a fourth straight title. Plenty of positivity around as well as Channel 4's team is in place for their first game this weekend, two of which have been on this programme plenty of times in the past. John Davidson is back with us as we're giddy with excitement! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week: Championship returns, Premier gains, Cup drama and and old book... PLUS: Oldham coach Stuart Littler joins us to praise Lock Lane, after the side from Cas knocked his new one out of the Challenge Cup, but there's still lots of positivity as they build up to the new League One season, rebuilding relationships in the town, and moving back home, as well as leading Ireland into the World Cup this autumn. A great half-hour or so with the Roughyeds boss. BONUS: If you missed the video last week with Neil Ormston of the Rugby League Record Keepers' Club, that's on the end for you podcast people too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Younger, Sexier and More Vibrant" Welcome to another episode of Forty20 NOT LIVE, where we've defrosted from Featherstone, watched the Channel 4 advert on a loop, on looking forward to Bashing Headingley this Summer. Mainly though, we're hear to talk Swinton Lions, with their Director of Development Damian Ridpath, who may well be the most positive guest we've ever had, and that goes back to the Radio Yorkshire days! They're not "Little Old Swinton" anymore, and he's here to tell us why... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another year begins, and we're still here. It's a fairly positive start to 2022 for us as we get ready for the new season with new broadcasters, players, coaches and drama to enjoy. You were out in force in the comments as we looked ahead to a World Cup in France, how our colleagues across the Channel might not let every player in to play on their soil, and the wider issue of vaccination levels in Super League. "Why?" is a big question we can't answer. All that and much more, as the friendlies are in full swing, and the Challenge Cup is underway, and, with am ultra competitive Championship around the corner, Batley Bulldogs coach Craig Lingard takes time away from his preparations to join us to talk about a myriad of issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The abridged story of Rugby League in 2021, told through output of Forty20 and our guests. Featuring interviews, post match reaction, stories, opinion and more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2021. A year of Saints, some sinners, a potential French renascence, glory for Featherstone, and the Rhinos (but only when sat down.) As well as the past, Phil and Richard try make some sense of what may happen in 2022, and decide they don't really have a clue... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For our final LIVE show of 2021, we've invited a friend of ours along to talk about her career. The freshly retired Danika Priim is with us to talk about a short, but eventful career in Rugby League. How she started in the sport at school, her dancing life, and getting back involved in RL and her growing media profile. Playing in a World Cup, and the journey to getting there, life at Leeds, winning, and losing, dealing with those who wanted to pull her down, and fighting back. A great story, told by the woman herself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Midlands Hurricanes CEO Alan Robinson joins us to talk about the rebrand of the Coventry Bears ahead of the 2022 season in League One, but also how the Bears will continue outside the professional game to grow the sport in the area. Not just that, but there's new investment, a new home on the horizon for 2023, and a general feeling of positivity over the sport and where it's heading, which is always nice. Plus, a little bit of Cornwall, as they join the fun next year, and Ireland, with the World Cup approaching. https://midlandshurricanes.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A packed show, with three guests on talking about their books as we head towards Christmas, and you need to get someone something... We open with a look at the news as we try to #BeMoreKev, get excited about Channel 4 and what they can bring to Super League coverage, and upgrade our scores on the state of Rugby League. Then, we speak to Daniel Barker Gray on his book Broken Time, a history of the sport from 1895 to 2000, Hull KR fan Dan Crowther's chronicle of the 2021 season, The Robin Sings Again, and finally, with very little to do with RL, lapsed Cougars supporter Ben Baker talks about Christmas telly, the subject of his latest tome, Ben Baker's Christmas Box. Find our guests on Twitter @DanBarkerGray, @shenmuestan and @BenBakerBooks Timestamps: 26:45 - Broken Time with Daniel Barker Gray 52:52 - The Robin Sings Again with Dan Crowther 1:23:51 - Ben Baker and his Christmas Box Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With a year to go until the delayed Rugby League World Cup 2021, we were LIVE at the Featherstone Community Centre to talk about the event, and the general state of the game with an all star panel: Nathan Collins - Leeds and England Wheelchair international, on the longlist for the 2022 Golden Boot Professor Tony Collins - Author, historian and podcaster Rob Hicks - A long time match official now Director of Operations and Legal at the RFL Danika Priim - Former Leeds, Bradford and England forward, winning every domestic honour in the game. Neil Ormston - Organiser of the Rugby League Record Keepers Club John Davidson - Journalist and podcaster. Australian. It was supposed to be a show of two halves, but our time keeping isn't the best... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've been invaded by Canadians! The Canada Grizzlies are on tour, culminating in a Masters Festival at Leigh East this Sunday, and members of the squad, Nicholas Mew, Greg Furyk, Michael Steer, and Doon Muldoon, have joined us to talk about their trip, which wasn't easy as you'd imagine, plus RL in Canada, their journey into the game, and what they have got from the sport and what they want to give back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The RFL's new Director of Operations and Legal, Robert Hicks, was our special guest this week as we talked about him swapping his whistle for a desk, and what that new role actually entails. we talk about memories of his days as a match official and what he wants to achieve in his new role, including tackling abuse from the sidelines, and how that's an issue that goes much deeper than you may think at first. Plenty to think about as ever... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a bit of a bonus as we've been away after the Grand Final weekend, but, as the "Running Game" season comes to an end this week, we think, we wrap up those games at Old Trafford and Headingley, Toulouse's elevation and some transfer news. Plus, it's international time, so we talk those, and speak to Craig Richards, coach of England's women as they face France, and hoping to make his Jamaica debut, Izaac Farrell! Back Tuesday LIVE at 6pm... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Grand Final week and John Davidson is back in the studio to talk some Rugby League as we look back on Penrith Panthers NRL success, the reaction to the Super League Awards, an increase of abuse at matches and ahead to a busy weekend with promotion and titles to be decided... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plenty for Phil and Richard to discuss this week, including, but not exclusive to: Was Wigan vs. Leeds really that bad? Warrington woes? Robins STILL bob bob bobbing, Championship crackers, Women's Super League Narratives and a TV deal which needs more scrutiny... PLUS, a bonus for podcast listeners as we talk PDRL with Dr. Emma Kirke! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's play-off time, as we try, and fail, to avoid using the term "business end" of the season, though it's an early closure for Hull FC while their neighbours are bob, bob, bobbing along... We look back on the weekend, including Phil's trip to the Wheelchair Grand Final, and ahead to some tasty fixtures this week. Two guests for you as well, as first St. Helens winger Danielle Bush reflects on scoring in the Challenge Cup Final as, after lifting the League Leaders Shield, their looking to complete the treble, and we take a trip from Hemel to York via Sheffield and Wembley with Jack Howieson. from the sharp end of the Championship season just gone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We were able to spend an hour with Chair of the RFL Simon Johnson who joined us to talk about the present state of the sport of Rugby League, plans for the future on and off the field, the realignment with Super League, relationships with the Government, finding external investment, exploiting growth areas for the sport and much more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices