🎙️ League Express Podcast | Challenge Cup Review, NRL Debate & Super League Issues

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan break down all the action from the latest Challenge Cup fixtures, analysing the key moments and standout performances from the weekend.

They also discuss this week’s League Express readers poll, which asks fans what they believe is the best aspect of the NRL competition, sparking a wider debate about how the Australian game compares to Super League amidst on-going negotiations between the two competitions.

The conversation then turns to the future of the sport, with discussion around St Helens Chairman Eamon McManus’ comments on the need for greater consultation with club owners in any potential dealings with the NRL.

Elsewhere, the episode covers growing concerns around the injury crisis in Super League, including Hull FC coach John Cartwright’s views, as well as International Rugby League’s decision to scrap tier systems in the women’s game.

The hosts also discuss Oldham’s search for a new stadium and round up the latest NRL news, including a milestone moment for Alex Johnston.

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan break down all the action from Super League Round 4 and the NRL’s opening round, analysing the biggest results, standout performances and talking points from both competitions.

The pair also discuss the growing conversation around a future agreement between the NRL and Super League, including what fans would like to see from closer collaboration between the two competitions. Martyn shares his advice to the RFL as negotiations with the NRL continue and explores what the next Super League broadcast deal could look like, with Sky Sports, DAZN and TNT Sports all potential bidders.

They also assess the growing injury crisis at Huddersfield Giants, the impact of Bevan French tearing his hamstring, and debate which NRL fullback could be targeted for a mid-season Super League transfer.

Elsewhere, the hosts examine blowout scorelines in the NRL, whether player salaries should be made public, Zac Lomax’s move to the Western Force in Super Rugby, and the major international news that Kalyn Ponga has switched his allegiance to represent New Zealand.

🔑 Topics covered

• Super League Round 4 review
• NRL opening round analysis
• NRL and Super League partnership debate
• RFL negotiations and Martyn’s advice
• Next Super League TV deal (Sky, DAZN, TNT)
• Huddersfield Giants injury crisis
• Bevan French hamstring injury
• Potential NRL fullback mid-season transfer target
• NRL blowout scorelines debate
• Should Rugby League player salaries be public?
• Zac Lomax signing with the Western Force
• Kalyn Ponga switching allegiance to the Kiwis

👉 Subscribe for weekly Rugby League insight, Super League analysis, NRL discussion and exclusive commentary from League Express.

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan break down all the action from the NRL x Super League Las Vegas event. They discuss whether the crowd of just over 45,000 was a success, whether the games are drawing in American audiences, and what can be done to improve the event next year. They also celebrate the Halifax Panthers' return to the Championship this weekend after their liquidation last month. The hosts also address a wave of injuries hitting Super League, including Jay Field’s appendicitis, Will Price’s and Blake Taaffe’s ACL injuries. Finally, they dive into the latest Zac Lomax drama and discuss whether we could see Lomax in the Super League. Stay tuned for expert analysis and all the biggest headlines in Rugby League this week!

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan review the historic World Club Challenge, where Hull Kingston Rovers defeated the Brisbane Broncos. 

Martyn shares his thoughts on the atmosphere at the ground, the officiating and how this World Club Challenge compares to past editions. They also discuss the Brisbane Broncos' performance once and whether they were truly up for this challenge. 

After that, they debate whether the event got enough media coverage in the UK and what this win does for Willie Peters’ coaching resume, with many now seeing him as a front-runner for the England head coach role. 

They break down the new State of Origin eligibility rules in Australia and preview the upcoming Round two Super League match-ups, setting the stage for another thrilling weekend of Rugby League.

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan preview Round One of the Super League season, breaking down the key match-ups and early storylines as the campaign gets underway.

The conversation then turns to the RFL’s strategic review, with Martyn and Jake analysing what it could mean for the future direction of the game. They also discuss speculation around which Super League coach could eventually succeed Craig Bellamy at the Melbourne Storm, should the legendary NRL coach step aside.

Off the field, the episode covers major developments across the sport, including the Halifax Panthers facing a winding-up order, Owen Trout signing with the Cronulla Sharks, and the shock news that has sent ripples through Rugby League — Payne Haas will leave the Brisbane Broncos to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2027.

🔑 Topics covered:

• Super League Round One preview
• RFL strategic review explained
• Who could replace Craig Bellamy at Melbourne Storm?
• Halifax Panthers winding-up order
• Owen Trout signs with Cronulla Sharks
• Payne Haas to South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2027

👉 Subscribe for weekly Super League analysis, Rugby League news, NRL updates and expert insight from League Express.

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan are joined by BBC pundit and former Super League coach John Kear for a full 2026 Rugby League predictions special.

The trio deliver their bold calls for the 2026 season, debating which club will exceed expectations, which side could struggle or disappoint, and which player is primed for a breakout season. They also discuss the future of the England head coach role, offering insight into who could take charge next.

Attention then turns to silverware, with predictions on who will win the Challenge Cup, the Super League Grand Final, the NRL Grand Final, and the World Club Challenge, making this a must-listen episode for Rugby League fans looking ahead to the biggest year yet.

🔑 Topics covered:

• 2026 Super League season preview
• Which team will exceed expectations?
• Which club could disappoint?
• Breakout player predictions
• Who will be the next England head coach?
• Challenge Cup winner predictions
• Super League Grand Final winner
• NRL Grand Final winner
• World Club Challenge predictions

👉 Subscribe for weekly Rugby League analysis, Super League & NRL coverage, exclusive interviews and expert predictions from League Express.

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan react to a packed weekend of Rugby League action and off-field debate.

The pair review the latest Challenge Cup fixtures, breaking down the standout performances and biggest talking points. They discuss the future of international Rugby League, as Martyn and Jake debate whether NRL players leaving the sport to pursue a Rugby Union World Cup highlights shortcomings in Rugby League’s own World Cup structure.

They also look ahead to the business end of the season, discussing which teams could meet in the Super League Grand Final, before analysing growing speculation around the England head coach role, with Brad Arthur and Willie Peters both reportedly showing interest.

Elsewhere, the episode covers key transfer and media news, including Cameron Smith’s departure to Wakefield next season, Tex Hoy’s new club, and whether Sky Sports will bid for Super League broadcasting rights in the next major TV deal.

🔑 Topics covered:

• Challenge Cup weekend review
• NRL players switching to Rugby Union & World Cup debate
• Who could reach the Super League Grand Final?
• England coaching race: Brad Arthur & Willie Peters
• Cameron Smith set to join Wakefield
• Tex Hoy’s next club revealed
• Future of Super League TV rights & Sky Sports

👉 Subscribe for weekly Super League analysis, Rugby League news, transfers, media insight and expert opinion from League Express.

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan react to Rugby League news as the Championship season gets underway.

They discuss the London Broncos’ first win under new owners Darren Lockyer and Grant Wechsel, before turning their attention to the decision by the RFL to part ways with England head coach Shaun Wane. Martyn and Jake debate who should take over the role and what direction England Rugby League should take next.

The conversation also covers the controversial exclusion of Featherstone Rovers from the Championship, the significance of 5,000 fans attending Salford’s opening match against Oldham, and what it says about the club’s future.

They analyse key player movement and transfer news, including Matt Dufty signing for South Sydney Rabbitohs’ NSW Cup side, the ongoing Zac Lomax situation, and the Perth Bears’ recruitment drive with the signings of James McDonnell, Tyran Wishart and Nick Meaney.

🔑 Topics covered:

• Championship season kicks off
• London Broncos’ first win under Darren Lockyer & Grant Wechsel
• RFL decision to move on from Shaun Wane
• Who should be the next England head coach?
• Featherstone Rovers excluded from the Championship
• 5,000 attend Salford vs Oldham opener
• Matt Dufty to South Sydney (NSW Cup)
• The Zac Lomax saga explained
• Perth Bears sign McDonnell, Wishart & Meaney

👉 Subscribe for weekly Rugby League analysis, Super League & Championship news, NRL updates and exclusive insight from League Express.

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan are joined by one of the greatest Rugby League players of all time, Darren Lockyer, alongside his business partner and London Broncos Owner Grant Wechsel.

Now a majority owner of the London Broncos, Lockyer discusses his transition from legendary player to club owner, why he believes in the London Broncos project, and what the future holds for the club. The conversation covers London’s importance to Rugby League, long-term ambitions for the Broncos, and what success looks like both on and off the field.

Lockyer and Wechsel also give insight into ownership challenges, building a sustainable Rugby League club in the capital, and how London fits into the wider picture of Super League expansion and growth.

🔑 Topics covered:

• Darren Lockyer and Grant Wechsel's role as majority owner's of the London Broncos
• Why London is vital to the future of Rugby League
• Long-term vision and ambitions for the Broncos
• Challenges of ownership and sustainability
• Super League expansion and the growth of the game
• Life after playing for one of Rugby League’s all-time greats

👉 Subscribe for exclusive Rugby League interviews, Super League insight and expert analysis from League Express.

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan reflect on the sad passing of League Express journalist Steve Brady, paying tribute to his contribution to Rugby League journalism and the wider game.

The discussion then turns to the latest Rugby League news, including Salford Red Devils’ future in the Championship, Willie Peters being honoured at the University of Hull, and what Martyn and Jake hope to see from the sport in 2026.

They also cover Sean Long’s new coaching role, Keon Koloamatangi signing for the St George Illawarra Dragons, and Josh Curran joining the NRL’s newest franchise, the Perth Bears.

To round off the episode, Martyn and Jake preview the opening round of the Challenge Cup and reflect on some of the biggest moments from the 2025 Rugby League season.

🔑 Topics covered:

• Tribute to League Express journalist Steve Brady
• Salford Red Devils’ Championship future
• Willie Peters honoured by the University of Hull
• Hopes and priorities for Rugby League in 2026
• Sean Long’s new coaching job
• Keon Koloamatagi to St George Illawarra Dragons
• Josh Curran signs for the Perth Bears
• Challenge Cup round one review
• The standout moments of Rugby League in 2025

👉 Subscribe for weekly Rugby League analysis, Super League news, NRL updates and expert insight from League Express.