Inside Rugby League

RICHARD BYRAM and Peter Smith return with the first Inside Rugby League podcast for 2021 looking chiefly at the prospects for our three top-flight clubs this season - Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity. 

They also discuss the latest developments in the game, while Peter looks back on when he first started working for the YEP back in 1996. Have a listen and let us know what you think with any subject brought up in the show, posting your own comments and thoughts down the bottom of this page.

Richard Byram and Peter Smith discuss Castleford Tigers Paul McShane being named Steve Prescott Man of Steel, the retirement of modern day great Gareth Ellis, Bradford Bulls’ attempts to return to Super League and this Friday’s Grand Final between Wigan and St Helens and a controversial choice of referee.

Richard Byram and Peter Smith discuss former St Helens and Great Britain star Sean Long joining the Rhinos coaching staff, Leeds’s play-off hopes, Ian Watson’s shock exit from Challenge Cup finalists Salford Red Devils and which club might replace Toronto Wolfpack in Super League.

The YEP's Richard Byram and Peter Smith discuss the decision to refuse Toronto Wolfpack a place in next year’s Super League competition and the implications for the club and its staff. They also look at the new six-team play-off competition to decide this year’s Grand Finalists and Leeds Rhinos legend Danny McGuire’s new job at Hull KR.

Host Richard Byram and YEP RL writer Peter Smith discuss Rhinos derby victory over 12-man Castleford, Wakefield’s impressive back-to-back wins over Huddersfield Giants and Hull KR and why the regular season could end once the Sky TV obligations are fulfilled.

Host Richard Byram and YEP RL writer Peter Smith discuss Leeds Rhinos’ exciting victory over Salford Red Devils, the ongoing form issues at Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers and look ahead to this weekend’s Betfred Super League fixtures.

Richard Byram and Peter Smith talk about the Coral Challenge Cup final, the Rhinos’ squad and chances of lifting a trophy they last won in 2015 and how last season’s Grand Finalists Salford - a team Leeds have beaten twice already this season - will fare.

Richard Byram and Peter Smith discuss Leeds Rhinos’ Coral Challenge Cup semi-final win over Wigan Warriors, the possibility of club legend Rob Burrow leading the teams out, the latest defeats for Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers and look ahead to this week’s games.

Richard Byram and Peter Smith discuss a busy week for the Rhinos, who have Super League and Challenge Cup last four matches to play, how Wakefield Trinity improved against Wigan Warriors, Castleford Tigers’ chances against Hull FC and how the latest Government Covid restrictions are a serious blow for the future of the game.

Richard Byram and Peter Smith discuss Leeds Rhinos’ victory in the Challenge Cup and the semi-final draw, this week’s upcoming fixtures, the latest on Toronto Wolfpack’s possible readmission to Super Leage and coach Chris Chester’s future at Wakefield Trinity.