In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan break down another massive week in Rugby League — from international rankings to domestic shake-ups and major NRL developments.

They tackle the new International Rugby League rankings, what they mean for England, and which nations are trending up or down. Martyn gives an inside look at his upcoming Rugby League World Magazine column, arguing why Super League should seriously invest in Wales, especially with Welsh Rugby Union set to scrap one of their top-tier sides.

The conversation then shifts to the NRL, with the ARL Commission’s potential bombshell proposal to shorten the season and introduce a mid-year representative window — a move that could change global Rugby League forever.

They also discuss:

• London Broncos’ potential new home and what it means for their Super League push
• World Club Challenge tickets selling out for Brisbane Broncos vs Hull KR in 2025
• The latest on Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, and Payne Haas being linked to R360

Packed with insight, opinion, and big-picture analysis, this episode covers everything shaping Rugby League’s future on both sides of the globe.

n this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan are joined by BBC Pundit and Rugby League Coach John Kear to break down the Ashes series following Australia’s 3–0 sweep over England.

They analyse where England fell short, what lessons can be learned ahead of the next Rugby League World Cup, and whether Shaun Wane has done enough to remain as England coach.

The panel also discuss:

• 🏆 Who deserves the Golden Boot award this year
• 💬 England’s key takeaways from the Ashes series
• 🇳🇿 New Zealand’s win over Samoa in the Pacific Championship
• ❌ Sean Long’s departure from Oldham
• 🌍 The lack of international fixtures before next year’s World Cup

Tune in for expert insights and honest opinions from some of Rugby League’s most experienced voices.

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan break down a huge weekend of international Rugby League action — headlined by Australia securing the Ashes at Everton’s new stadium in Liverpool and New Zealand’s dominant win over Tonga.

🏉 Topics include:

• Australia clinching the Ashes Series in Liverpool
• What went wrong for England and what changes Shaun Wane should make
• Whether Kevin Walters will give his other squad players a chance in Game 3
• The lack of attacking football from both sides at Liverpool
• Rugby League’s marketing struggles, Reece Walsh’s impact, and Jarvo’s pitch invasion
• Paul Wellens’ new NRL coaching role and what it means for English coaches abroad
• Ryan Papenhuyzen taking a break — could he join R360?
• Eli Katoa’s head injury update and the growing concussion conversation
• Predictions for this weekend’s upcoming international matches

A mix of sharp analysis, big talking points, and inside Rugby League insight — this is your weekly fix of honest discussion on everything happening across the international and domestic scenes.

🔔 Subscribe to the League Express Podcast for weekly Rugby League news, Super League and NRL analysis, and exclusive interviews.

#RugbyLeague #SuperLeague #AshesSeries #EnglandRugbyLeague #AustraliaRugbyLeague #NewZealandRugbyLeague #TongaRugbyLeague #PaulWellens #RyanPapenhuyzen #ReeceWalsh #Jarvo #EliKatoa #RugbyLeaguePodcast

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan are joined by former Super League and England coach Tony Smith for an in-depth conversation about his legendary career and the current state of Rugby League.

🏉 Topics include:

• Tony Smith’s reflections on his playing and coaching career
• The future of Rugby League and whether the NRL should invest in Super League
• Reaction to Australia’s 26–6 win over England in the first Ashes Test
• Tony’s thoughts on England’s performance and what changes he would make ahead of Game Two
• Analysis of Tonga vs Samoa and which international clash was more entertaining
• The state of international Rugby League and what needs to happen for the game to grow globally

A must-listen for Rugby League fans — Tony Smith gives honest insights on coaching, the Ashes, and the sport’s future direction.

🔔 Subscribe to the League Express Podcast for weekly Super League, NRL, and international Rugby League analysis and exclusive interviews.

#RugbyLeague #SuperLeague #TonySmith #EnglandRugbyLeague #AustraliaRugbyLeague #AshesSeries #Tonga #Samoa #InternationalRugbyLeague #NRL #RugbyLeaguePodcast

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan are joined by BBC Pundit and Coach John Kear to preview the first Ashes Test between England and Australia.

🏉 Topics include:

• Kevin Walters’ team list and why Shaun Wane is yet to name his 17
• Predictions for England’s starting lineup
• What England must do to beat Australia in Game 1
• The referee appointments and why Game 1 is crucial to the series outcome
• Reaction to Super League’s three new clubs: York, Toulouse, and Bradford
• The London Broncos missing out on Super League inclusion
• Full review of the weekend’s Pacific Championships and standout performers

Packed with expert insight, international previews, and domestic analysis, Martyn, Jake and John break down everything shaping the world of Rugby League this week.

🔔 Subscribe to the League Express Podcast for weekly Super League, NRL, and international Rugby League discussion.

#RugbyLeague #AshesSeries #EnglandRugbyLeague #AustraliaRugbyLeague #JohnKear #ShaunWane #KevinWalters #SuperLeague #York #Toulouse #Bradford #LondonBroncos #PacificChampionships #RugbyLeaguePodcast

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan break down a historic night at Old Trafford as Hull KR are crowned Super League Champions for the first time in their history after defeating the Wigan Warriors.

🏉 Topics include:

• Hull KR’s Grand Final triumph over Wigan Warriors
• Mikey Lewis’s heroic Rob Burrow Award-winning performance
• Willie Peters’ tactical masterclass and how it outsmarted Wigan
• What went wrong for Wigan in the Grand Final
• Brad O’Neill’s yellow card for a lifting tackle — fair or harsh?
• Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ final match and Michael McIlorum’s toughness
• Whether the World Club Challenge will go ahead between Hull KR and the Brisbane Broncos
• England squad preview and which players were unlucky to miss selection

From tactical brilliance to international implications, Martyn and Jake unpack every major storyline from Hull KR’s Grand Final glory and look ahead to what’s next for Rugby League.

🔔 Subscribe to the League Express Podcast for weekly Rugby League news, Super League analysis, and exclusive insights from across the game.

#RugbyLeague #SuperLeague #HullKR #WiganWarriors #MikeyLewis #WilliePeters #RobBurrowAward #BradONeill #JaredWaereaHargreaves #MichaelMcIlorum #WorldClubChallenge #BrisbaneBroncos #EnglandRugbyLeague #RugbyLeaguePodcast

n this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan are joined by BBC Commentator and coach John Kear to break down a massive weekend in Rugby League.

🏉 Topics include:

• Super League Playoffs:
  • Wigan Warriors defeat Leigh Leopards
  • Hull KR beat St Helens to set up a thrilling Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford
• Championship Grand Final:
  • Toulouse crowned champions after defeating York Knights
• NRL Grand Final:
  • Brisbane Broncos storm back to beat Melbourne Storm
  • Reece Walsh’s incredible Clive Churchill Medal performance
• Jake Connor wins the Man of Steel award
• Jared Waerea-Hargreaves fights his suspension
• Australia’s 24-man squad named for the Ashes Series
• Full Super League Grand Final preview and predictions

From Grand Final glory to international selection drama, this episode dives deep into the stories shaping Rugby League in the UK and beyond.

🔔 Subscribe to the League Express Podcast for weekly Super League analysis, exclusive interviews, and inside Rugby League coverage.

#RugbyLeague #SuperLeague #NRL #JohnKear #WiganWarriors #LeighLeopards #HullKR #StHelens #Toulouse #YorkKnights #BrisbaneBroncos #MelbourneStorm #ReeceWalsh #ManOfSteel #AshesSeries #RugbyLeaguePodcast

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and host Jake Kearnan are joined by Rhodri Jones, Managing Director of RL Commercial, to discuss the business side of Rugby League and the latest on the field.

🏉 Topics include:

• How Ashes ticket sales are progressing
• The financial boost the Ashes series could bring to Rugby League
• Updates on the upcoming broadcast rights deal negotiations
• Reaction to the first week of the Super League Playoffs:
  • Leigh Leopards defeating Wakefield Trinity
  • St Helens beating Leeds Rhinos in a clash that saw a controversial Jon Bennison try
• Analysis of the NRL Preliminary Finals:
  • Melbourne Storm beating the Cronulla Sharks
  • Brisbane Broncos ending the Penrith Panthers’ streak
• A full preview of this weekend’s playoff action:
  • Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards
  • Hull KR vs St Helens
• The Championship Grand Final between York and Toulouse
• The NRL Grand Final between the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm

Packed with exclusive insight, financial updates, and match analysis, this episode delivers the latest on Rugby League both on and off the pitch.

🔔 Subscribe to the League Express Podcast for weekly Rugby League news, Super League analysis, and exclusive interviews from around the game.

#RugbyLeague #SuperLeague #RLCommercial #RhodriJones #AshesSeries #BroadcastRights #LeighLeopards #WakefieldTrinity #StHelens #LeedsRhinos #JonBennison #WiganWarriors #HullKR #York #Toulouse #NRL #BrisbaneBroncos #MelbourneStorm #PenrithPanthers #RugbyLeaguePodcast

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and host Jake Kearnan break down the biggest stories in Rugby League, from the Super League Playoffs to the NRL Finals and beyond.

🏉 Topics include:

• Full preview of the Super League Playoffs and who the favourites are going into the weekend
• Reaction to the announcement of the Super League Dream Team
• Predictions for the NRL Preliminary Finals
• Which players have declared their allegiance to Australia and England ahead of the Ashes series
• Martyn’s bold proposal for a brand-new Super League Nines competition
• Jason Demetriou signing as London Broncos head coach for the next three seasons
• The Broncos’ marquee move in signing Reagan Campbell-Gillard

With sharp insight and debate on the game’s biggest talking points, this episode is packed with analysis, predictions, and bold ideas about the future of Rugby League.

🔔 Subscribe to the League Express Podcast for weekly Rugby League news, Super League analysis, and exclusive insights from around the sport.

#RugbyLeague #SuperLeague #SuperLeaguePlayoffs #DreamTeam #NRLFinals #JasonDemetriou #LondonBroncos #ReaganCampbellGillard #SuperLeagueNines #EnglandRugbyLeague #AustraliaRugbyLeague #AshesSeries #RugbyLeaguePodcast

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and host Jake Kearnan are joined by former Catalans Dragons and England coach Steve McNamara for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about his coaching journey, playing career, and what’s next.

🏉 Topics include:

• Steve’s recent trip to Australia and the NRL clubs he visited
• Whether his next coaching role will be in Super League or the NRL
• An honest breakdown of what went wrong at Catalans Dragons
• The highlights of his coaching career and the best players he has coached
• His candid thoughts on Super League expansion
• The importance of French Rugby League and whether French clubs are treated fairly

With rare behind-the-scenes insight, McNamara reflects on the highs and lows of his career and shares his vision for the future of Rugby League.

🔔 Subscribe to the League Express Podcast for exclusive interviews, Super League analysis, and insider discussion from the world of Rugby League.

#RugbyLeague #SuperLeague #SteveMcNamara #CatalansDragons #EnglandRugbyLeague #NRL #SuperLeagueExpansion #FrenchRugbyLeague #RugbyLeaguePodcast