League Express Podcast

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan are joined by Hull KR CEO Paul Lakin to reflect on one of the most historic seasons in the club’s history.

Paul breaks down how Hull KR completed the treble, the club’s rise since his return in 2020, and what the future looks like both on and off the field. They also discuss the enormous impact Willie Peters has had on the club’s transformation and whether NRL clubs are now chasing his signature after Hull KR’s success.

Lakin provides exciting insight into next year’s World Club Challenge against the Brisbane Broncos, including previously unreleased details about secret takeover talks with Brisbane several years ago and what those discussions meant for the future of the club. He also explains what it means for Hull KR to be playing in Las Vegas in 2026 and how the club is preparing for the global spotlight.

The conversation then turns to Paul’s career in football, including his time with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke City, and how lessons from the Premier League and Championship have shaped his leadership at Hull KR.

This is a must-listen episode for Hull KR supporters and Rugby League fans interested in club growth, coaching futures, expansion, leadership, and the future of Super League.

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan are joined by London Broncos CEO Gary Hetherington for an in-depth discussion about the future of the Broncos and Rugby League in the capital.

Gary provides an update on the Broncos’ new facilities, the club’s long-term vision, and how recruitment is shaping up ahead of the 2026 season. He reveals the key areas of London the club is targeting, the impact the new ownership group is having behind the scenes, and the Broncos’ ambitious plans to grow Rugby League at grassroots level across the capital.

The conversation also turns to the international game, with Hetherington giving his thoughts on the Ashes series, Shaun Wane’s future as England coach, and the ongoing situation at the Salford Red Devils.

This episode delivers unique insights into Super League expansion, the Broncos’ rebuild, and the future direction of Rugby League in London.

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan break down the latest major stories shaping Rugby League across Super League, the NRL and the international game.

They dive into:

• Rugby League World Cup fixtures – can the tournament deliver on expectations and what challenges lie ahead?
• The RFL strongly denying claims it owes the IRL £400,000, and what the dispute means for the international game.
• Magic Weekend moving to Everton’s new stadium – is it the right venue and what could it mean for attendance and atmosphere?
• Harry Newman’s blockbuster move to the NRL’s new expansion franchise, the Perth Bears, and what the signing says about the club's ambitions.
• Jackson Hastings signing with St Helens, what role he’ll play, and how the move reshapes Saints’ spine.
• The Brisbane Broncos unveiling a new logo – why the club made the change and how fans are reacting.

Packed with insight, analysis and debate, this episode covers every major storyline fans need to know heading into another huge week of Rugby League.

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