By the Balls

Our special guest is Wakefield Trinity head coach Chris Chester. On the eve of the new Super League season, Chris talks to us about the club's pre-season, recruitment and reflects on changes at Wakefield. He also talks about the difficult 2020 campaign, battling relegation, proving people wrong and how he reacted to facing online abuse and media pressure on his performances as a coach.

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We are joined by rugby league legend and Sky TV commentator Barrie McDermott. The former prop talks to us about his playing days - his emergence at Oldham, his year at Wigan, his time at Leeds, his experiences for Great Britain and for Ireland. He also talks about his 'notorious' hard-man reputation, overcoming his disability, the opportunity he had to play in the NRL, his work for Sky and his thoughts on the 2021 Super league season.

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We are joined by Toulouse Olympique prop Mitch Garbutt. Mitch takes us through his transfer to France, the new season ahead and his background. He talks about the start of his rugby league career with Newcastle Knights, breaking in with Melbourne Storm, his brief spell at Brisbane Broncos, as well as discussing his successful stint with Leeds Rhinos and his time at Hull KR.

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Ross Heppenstall and The Sun's Gary Carter join John Davidson on this episode. They discuss Israel Folau's muted return to the NRL, George Burgess' future, the new Super League TV, private equity being knocked back and aks what next for Robert Elstone, is his time up? They also talk about whether the Rugby League World Cup will be on this year, the struggles of Liverpool FC this season, the favourites in the English Premier League title race and more.

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Our special guest is Featherstone Rovers centre Thomas Minns. Thomas talks to us about his amazing life journey, his time as a professional rugby league player, growing up around drugs and violence, and his own battles with depression, mental health and suicide. He explains how he fought back from the brink and is now helping others with their mental health.

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Our special guest on this episode is new Hull FC signing Josh Reynolds. Josh Reynolds joins us to talk about why he joined Hull FC, the attraction of Super League, his exit from Wests Tigers and linking up with Brett Hodgson. He also discusses his background, his time at the Bulldogs, his State of Origin experiences and linking with Marc Sneyd in the halves at Hull.

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Former Great Britain international Des Foy joins the podcast to talk about X-League, its origins and the future and growth of this new sport. Des also chats about his background, his career playing for Widnes and Oldham, coming up against the Kangaroos in the 1980s, and the current state of rugby league in Ireland.

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Our special guest on the first episode of 2021 is forward Joel Thompson. He talks to us about joining St Helens, leaving the NRL, his upbringing in country NSW and the Mindset Project. He also chats to us about his Indigenous background, his spell at Manly and his hopes for his time in Super League.

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Ross and John are back to discuss the decision to make Leigh the 12th team in Super League - was it the right call or the wrong call? What next for the sport? They also discuss the concussion lawsuit in rugby union, the repercussions of it and the affect on rugby league, as well as the latest results in the English Premier League.

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We are joined on the podcast by Sheffield Eagles general manager Liam Claffey. We talk to Liam about the interrupted 2020 Championship season, the plans for next year, issues over the Eagles' stadium and the impact that the 2021 World Cup could have on Sheffield. We also talk about the state of rugby league in the UK, Liam's background and links to the sport, and diversity and inclusion.

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