Dave Woods and Kevin Brown are joined by the St Helens half-back Faye Gaskin who, after two years out with injury, scored the dramatic match-winning drop-goal last weekend to take her team to the Challenge Cup Final. She tells her incredible and inspirational story of being stopped from playing at school, to the dark days during her recovery from her injury, and the realisation of her dream to play at Wembley for the very first time in a sport where she’s not even being paid.

Ahead of this weekend’s Challenge Cup semi-finals, Dave Woods and ex-England international half-back Kevin Brown are joined by the St Helens prop forward Alex Walmsley, whose side face Leigh Leopards for a place at Wembley against either Wigan Warriors or Hull KR. As well as examining the games, Alex talks about what it takes to win a semi-final, the modern science of rugby league recovery and recuperation and the mental strength he needed to come back and play again after breaking his neck.

Dave Woods and ex-England international half-back Kevin Brown are joined by the legendary Mike Ford. After 20 years as a scrum half in rugby league, playing for the likes of Wigan, Oldham and Castleford, alongside representing his country, he swapped codes and coached for a further two decades in union, with England, Ireland, Bath and Toulon amongst many notable appointments. Now, after swapping codes again to lead a buyout of his home town club, Mike talks about his journey through league to union, his hopes and dreams for Oldham and whether his son and England fly-half, George, could join him at the Roughyeds!

Dave Woods and ex-England international half-back Kevin Brown are joined by the former Widnes Vikings head coach John Kear to discuss a wide range of topics including whether the six-again rule has had its day and should only two men be allowed in the tackle? Plus, who’s in line for promotion and relegation from the Championship, have two victories suddenly reignited both Wakefield’s and Leeds’ seasons and what a job Steve McNamara has done at Catalans.

Dave Woods and ex-England international stand-off Kevin Brown are joined by Neil Ormston of the Rugby League Record Keepers’ Club, who’s on hand to help answer whether the stats suggest 2023 is the most competitive and unpredictable Super League season ever, why wingers are scoring so many tries and will some of the sport’s long-standing records ever be broken? Plus, which current coach should be most worried by Justin Holbrook’s potential availability.

On this week’s podcast, former Welsh rugby union international Alix Popham joins Dave Woods and ex-England international stand-off Kevin Brown to highlight the dangers of concussion faced by players across both codes. Aged just 40, Alix was diagnosed with early-onset dementia as a result of traumatic brain injury suffered in his rugby career and is now a leading light in the campaign to increase the awareness of the disease and bring positive change to both codes. Organiser of ‘The Big Rugby Swim’ on behalf of the charity he co-founded, Head For Change, former players from league and union, including Kevin, will race each other in a relay across the English Channel later this year.

Ahead of the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, Dave Woods and ex-England international half-back Kevin Brown are joined by Scott Taylor, whose Hull FC side face St Helens in the last eight. ‘Tag’ recalls his cup successes with both Wigan and Hull, relives the tough love shown to him by Shaun Wane, describes losing the will to live on a beach in Perth and how a memory lapse by England coach Wayne Bennett almost denied him his international debut.

Dave Woods and ex-England international half-back Kevin Brown review the latest edition of Magic Weekend, where over 63,000 fans enjoyed six games in glorious sunshine at St James’ Park in Newcastle, but is it the end for the event? Although IMG had suggested it may disappear from the calendar Rhodri Jones, Managing Director of Rugby League Commercial, suggests it may continue, but perhaps not in the North-East. Plus, he discusses proposed changes to the format and timing of the Challenge Cup, the possibility of another special event in the rugby league season and we hear from Hamish and Ben Weir, who were on hand to witness Leeds Rhinos don a special limited edition tartan kit in their clash with Castleford Tigers to pay tribute to their father, MND champion Doddie Weir OBE.

Dave Woods and ex-England international half-back Kevin Brown are joined by Salford Red Devils and England hooker, Andy Ackers, who tells the story of his remarkable rise from giving up the sport as a teenager to playing in last year’s World Cup. Released by both Wigan and Warrington, Ackers worked on a building site whilst playing part-time for Swinton Lions, before moving to London Broncos, Toronto Wolfpack and finally to Salford Red Devils where he fulfilled every rugby players dream of representing their country.

Why do so many rugby league players make great rugby union coaches? On this week’s podcast, Dave Woods and ex-England international half-back Kevin Brown are joined by former Great Britain international Graham Steadman who, since leaving rugby league, has worked with Munster, Cardiff Blues and both Scotland and Ireland as their defence coach in rugby union. Old Wigan teammates Andy Farrell and Shaun Edwards battled it out for Six Nations glory with Ireland and France this year, and they’re not alone in leaving their mark on the other code. Plus, memories of Melbourne ‘92, Regal Trophy finals, Challenge Cup semis and a very controversial early finish.