The Rugby League Review

On the latest episode of the Rugby League Review podcast, Eithan, Josh and Sean are joined by Wigan Warriors half-back Harry Smith. Throughout the podcast, Harry talks about his route into the sport, his career at Wigan to date, as well as playing a key role in the Warriors defeating Huddersfield in last weekend's Challenge Cup Final. 

All of this and much more in the latest episode of the Rugby League Review, a podcast in association with Prost International.

After a short break away with a new podcast format - which will continue weekly - , the Rugby League Review returns with a new special guest episode! Joe, Eithan and Kieran are joined by none other than Leigh Centurions owner Derek Beaumont to find out more about one of rugby league's most colourful characters.

In a bumper 90-minute long chat, we find out about how Derek first got into the sport, his upbringing in the North West and his company AB Sundecks - sponsors of the 1895 Cup. 

In addition, the Centurions owner talks his involvement in the club, how important being in Super League is for the Centurions, and the Leythers' near future after a relatively successful start to life back in the Betfred Championship with new head coach Adrian Lam at the helm. 

There's also a chat about the wider elements of rugby league including its' governing body - the RFL, how the game is marketed and the regulations surrounding licensing.

And of course, having been in the game for so long, Derek brings some funny tales to the table which you don't want to miss.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review, a podcast in association with Prost International.

With the second of our weekly series hosted by Joe, the Rugby League Review returns. Available to watch live via Twitter on March 21, 2022- @TheRLReview - as well as on Spotify following its' conclusion, Joe is this week joined by Eithan and Sean for a look back at the results from the week gone by, and a look forward to this week's upcoming fixtures in the Challenge Cup. 

As well as reviewing games including St Helens' shock defeat at bottom side Toulouse Olympique and Wakefield Trinity's win at Warrington Wolves, the lads were joined live from the Shay by Prost International's Stacy ahead of Halifax Panthers vs Leigh Centurions in the Betfred Championship. There was also the news to discuss of Richard Agar's departure as Leeds Rhinos' head coach and a discussion on where they go next from a managerial point of view.

The team also looked ahead to this weekend's Challenge Cup round six games as the Super League sides enter the competition, both Hull Kingston Rovers and Catalans Dragons - amongst others - trying to avoid shocks against sides from the league below.

And in addition to all of that, there was still time to take a look at this weekend's cards and their impact on the game as a whole, Huddersfield Giants' Will Pryce now banned for 10 matches after a dangerous tackle away at Hull FC.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review, a podcast in association with Prost International.

After a short break, the Rugby League Review returns with the first of a weekly podcast series hosted by new recruit Joe Appleyard. Available to watch live via Twitter - @TheRLReview - as well as on Spotify following its' conclusion, Joe will be joined by members of the Prost International Rugby League gang for each episode with a look back at recent results and a look forward to the upcoming fixtures in Super League. Guest episodes will continue, and there'll also be unique episodes as and when news breaks that warrants this.

In this week's inaugural episode, Joe is joined by Ben and Sean on the night of the Sixth Round Challenge Cup draw, which you can hear live reaction to with ties coming out of the bag including Hull KR vs Leigh, Catalans vs Featherstone & Leeds vs Castleford.

In between that live reaction, the lads review the weekend just gone in Super League as Wigan lost heavily in France while St Helens continued their dominance with a strong victory over local rivals Warrington. Meanwhile, there was also a preview for this week's fixtures including a tough one to call in Hull FC vs Huddersfield.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review, a podcast in association with Prost International.

In the latest episode of the Rugby League Review, Eithan, Stacy, Kieran and Josh are joined by Leeds Rhinos' hooker Kruise Leeming!

Throughout the episode Kruise discusses his route into Rugby League, his career so far at Huddersfield and Leeds, as well as his desire for African Rugby League.

All of this and more in the latest episode of the Rugby League Review podcast!

In the latest episode of the Rugby League Review podcast, Eithan, Ben and Cal are joined by Wigan Warriors' second-row Wille Isa as he talks about his route into Rugby League, his time at the Melbourne Storm, his move to the UK and his six years at Wigan so far.

All of this and more in the latest episode of the Rugby League Review podcast

In the latest episode of the Rugby League Review podcast, Eithan, Josh & Ethan are back with another special guest in Will Pryce. 

Throughout the episode, Will talks about his route into the professional game, his debut season which earnt him lots of praise and a place in the England Knights squad as well as adapting to a new role in the full-back position.

All of this and more in the latest episode of the Rugby League Review!

In the latest episode of the Rugby League Review, Ben, Eithan and Josh are back with another special guest in the form of Zeb Taia. Throughout the  episode Zeb shares his stories throughout his career in Australia, France and his most recent spell at St Helens between 2017 and 2020.

All this and more in the latest episode of the Rugby League Review.

In this episode of the Rugby League Review podcast, Eithan, Ben and Joe are joined by Hull KR half-back Mikey Lewis.

Throughout the episode, Mikey discusses the progress made in his career so far, from his amateur days at West Hull, making the move to Craven Park, how KR's loan system has been utilised to develop its youngsters and his impact in the 2021 season where the Robins just fell short of making a Grand Final.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Eithan, Kieran, Ethan and Stacy return to bring Episode 24 of the Rugby League Review Podcast, and its another special guest in the form of Barrie McDermott.

Being such a long servant to the game, Barrie discusses his career in various parts of Rugby League, starting his career at local club Oldham, before making moves to Wigan Warriors and then a 10-year stint at Leeds Rhinos before finishing his career at Widnes. Playing 15 times each for both Ireland and Great Britain, he also discusses his experiences of the 2000 World Cup, as well as how he feels international Rugby League should develop.

Since retiring, McDermott has become a regular face on TV screens for Rugby League supporters across the country, and in the podcast goes into what his role now entails, and how the game has now changed between his playing days and the present day.

Barrie also tells the story of playing his part in Kevin Sinfield's '100 miles in 24 hours' to raise money for the MND association , in support of former Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow. 

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

The two E(i)than's and Benedict return, bringing with them Episode 23 of the Rugby League review and another special guest in Hull FC's Jamie Shaul.

Having suffered an ACL injury in October 2020 which kept him out of action for close to a year, Shaul made his comeback to play in FC's final three matches of the 2021 campaign. The 29-year-old chats about how tough that comeback was to achieve not just physically but mentally too.

Making his debut for FC in 2013, Shaul hasn't looked back since and has gone on to make over 180 appearances for the club, scoring 100 tries in the process. That impressive tally makes him the Black & Whites' fourth-highest try-scorer in the Super League Era.

As well as reflecting on back-to-back Challenge Cup wins in 2016 & 2017, Shaul also looks ahead to the new campaign where he hopes to secure a spot in the FC team on the wing, moving out of his traditional fullback position.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

The two E(i)than's and Josh al return, bringing with them Episode 22 of the Rugby League review and another special guest in Wakefield Trinity's Reece Lyne.

Now 28, Lyne discusses his career so far right from the beginning to now including his route into the game, breaking through at Hull FC at a young age after coming through the academy system and making the move across Yorkshire to Wakefield.

Having played as both a centre and a winger throughout his time at Belle Vue, Lyne has now racked up over 200 appearances for Trinity since signing in 2012 and is now a mainstay in the side.

Lyne has also played for his country - England - and talks about that to the lads as well as how is looking forward to playing under new head coach Willie Poching at Wakefield next season in what will be his first full campaign in charge.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Eithan, Josh and Cal return, bringing with them Episode 21 of the Rugby League review and a hugely popular guest in Warrington Wolves' Stefan Ratchford.

33-year-old Ratchford discusses his career to date including his route into the game with local teams in hometown Wigan and breaking into the team at Salford in the early noughties before making the switch to Warrington in 2012 where he is now firmly established as a cult hero.

Involved in four Grand Finals with the Wolves so far, Stefan is one of only four players to have won the Harry Sunderland Trophy in a game at Old Trafford despite being on the losing side. He has also enjoyed success in Challenge Cup finals with Wire - winning two of the three Wembley showcases which he has been involved in - and picked up the League Leaders' Shield in 2016.

Open and honestly, Ratchford also discusses the failings of Warrington in the play-offs over the last few years. Having reached the all important end-of-season knockout games once again in the campaign just gone, Wire fell at the first hurdle as they lost at home to an unfavoured Hull Kingston Rovers. With a look ahead to the future, the fullback talks about what needs for happen under the new regime of Daryl Powell at the Halliwell Jones Stadium for the team to be able to go all the way.

And now preparing to go into his testimonial year, the experienced Super League star talks all things international too having won seven senior caps for England.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Eithan, Josh and Cal return, bringing with them Episode 20 of the Rugby League review and they are joined by Hull Kingston Rovers' Jez Litten.

Hull-born Jez discusses his route into the sport including growing up in a family mixed with Hull FC and Hull KR fans, and going on to play for both of those clubs with three separate loan moves to Doncaster sandwiched in the middle.

The 23-year-old also talks about helping the Robins to a first ever Super League Play-off Semi-final after being written off before the campaign begun, and how current boss Tony Smith has helped him to develop his game over the last few years.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

The Rugby League Review returns, bringing with it Episode 19 of the podcast and a huge guest in Huddersfield Giants' new signing Chris Hill.

One of Super League's most recognisable figures over the last decade, Hill came through Wigan Warriors' academy before making his Super League debut for local neighbours Leigh Centurions in 2005 aged just 17.

The prop earned a move to Warrington Wolves where he spent 9 years and became a club legend, picking up the League Leaders' Shield and Challenge Cup as well as being named as club captain.

Over 30 international appearances have followed, and Hill discusses all that and more in the Rugby League Review after making the move to Yorkshire with Huddersfield Giants.

The two E(i)than's return, bringing Episode 18 of the Rugby League review and they are joined by Warrington Wolves' Danny Walker.

Still only 22, Danny made his Super League debut for Widnes Vikings at 17. He discusses coming through the ranks with the Vikings, making the switch to boyhood side Warrington and playing for the England Knights, who the hooker recently captained against Jamaica.

The hooker also looks ahead to the future and talks about what he hopes to achieve in the coming years with a keen eye on a spot in the England first team squad for next year's World Cup as well as a target of some glory with Warrington sooner rather than later.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

The two E(i)than's return along with Cal, bringing Episode 17 of the Rugby League review and they are joined by Wakefield Trinity's David Fifita.

The big prop has vast experience in the game and discussed his career to date with the lads including his childhood, getting into rugby league, and competition with his brother who plays for Cronulla Sharks in the NRL.

David also played for Cronulla before making the move to Wakefield, where he is now a firm fan favourite, and discusses the differences between Australian rugby league & the UK.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Ben returns along with the two E(i)than's, bringing Episode 16 of the Rugby League review and they are joined by Huddersfield Giants' Oliver Russell.

Born in Oldham and the son of former rugby league star Richard, Oli discusses his career to date with the lads. From spending time with Wigan Warriors to making the switch to Yorkshire with the Giants and eventually coming through their academy.

Oli made his Super League debut aged just 19, and now at 23 wants to kick on from next season onwards. And with the podcast being recorded just a few days after St Helens picked up their third Grand Final win in a row with victory over Catalans Dragons, the lads took the opportunity o review the big game at Old Trafford.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

The two E(i)than's return with Episode 15 of the Rugby League review, welcoming someone with vast experience in Super League over the last 15 years on to the show in Castleford Tigers’ Jordan Turner.

Ahead of a new era beginning at Cas, Turner talks openly to the RLR all about getting into the sport, his achievements in the game to date, scoring tries for fun this season but also about the setbacks in his career including the disappointment felt by all in the Tigers camp when missing out on the play-offs this campaign.

A Grand Final winner with St Helens in 2013, Turner also previews this weekend's end-of-season finale at Old Trafford. Having come up against both Catalans Dragons and the Saints this season, the 32-year-old makes his call on who he thinks will triumph. Will it be the treble for 'the Red V' or will the Dragons make another huge statement in the bid for expansion of the game?

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Cal, Eithan and Josh return with Episode 14 of the Rugby League review, welcoming one of Super League’s best players over the last few years on to the show in Wigan Warriors’ Jackson Hastings.

Heading back over to his homeland - Australia - come the end of the 2021 season, Hastings has certainly made the most of his time in England and discusses that with the lads.

Having joined late on in the 2018 season, the half-back helped to keep Salford Red Devils up and went onto win Man of Steel as they reached the Grand Final the year after.

Last year at Wigan, he achieved the same in reaching the Grand Final and with a play-off spot secured for this campaign, he now looks to go one step further.

At just 25, Hastings has already accomplished so much in the game and walks Cal, Eithan and Josh through his career to date. Certainly not an episode to be missed.

As well as Jackson’s appearance, the lads also give their predictions for the final round of the regular season in Super League and touch on Toulouse’s promotion push in the Championship.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Eithan and Ben return with Episode 13 of the Rugby League review, welcoming Catalans Dragons second-rower Mike McMeeken fresh off the back of winning the 2021 League Leaders’ Shield.

Having come close to going all the way with Castleford Tigers in 2017, McMeeken discusses just what it would mean to him to lift the Grand Final trophy in October with the Dragons at Old Trafford.

He tells the lads what it felt like to play in that unbelievable comeback win over St Helens at Magic Weekend to seal the league and also chats about getting into rugby league living down south having first played the sport’s other code - Union.

Making his professional debut aged just 18 with London Broncos, McMeeken already has a wealth of experience playing at the highest level but is still hungry for more.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Eithan and Ben return with Episode 12 of the Rugby League review along with fellow Prost International writer Benedict. This week, they welcome Leeds Rhinos hooker Brad Dwyer as the special guest.

Now 28, the Rhinos man discusses his career to date including being known as an 'impact sub' during his time at Warrington Wolves, playing in the lower leagues and his four seasons with Leeds to date. In his time at Headingley, Dwyer has already picked up the Challenge Cup and with two games of the regular season remaining, is now focusing on helping his team into those all-important play-offs for a chance at reaching the Grand Final.

As well as matters on the pitch, Brad talks life off it as well. Being born and bred in Wigan before moving across to Leeds, how he spends his time off and how he got involved in his brother's wedding last weekend before and after playing in a memorable golden point Magic Weekend win over Hull FC.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Eithan returns with Episode 11 of the Rugby League review and brings with him two podcast debutants and fellow Prost International writers. Namesake Ethan and Benedict join him alongside Hull Kingston Rovers prop Matty Storton ahead of the 'Rivals Round' in Super League.

Still just 22, Storton discusses how he rose through the ranks at hometown club Bradford Bulls during their spell in League 1 and helped them to win promotion back up to the Championship before securing a regular starting spot as Prop in Tony Smith's KR lineup.

Signing a new contract with the Robins a few days prior to recording, Storton also talked to the lads about how both he and the team have developed in the last couple of years, with their sights now firmly set on finishing in the play-offs come the end of the regular season. Next up for Smith's side, a trip to neighbours Hull FC for the fierce local derby and Storton discusses the prospect of that game too.

Away from the Rovers man, Eithan, Benedict and Ethan also preview the 'Rivals Round', giving their predictions for each of the fixtures over the coming days including that Hull derby. Wigan Warriors and St Helens lock horns again, as do Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity amongst others.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Cal and Eithan return with Episode 10 of the Rugby League review and bring with them another player guest. The first French international comes in the form of Toulouse Olympique's Rémi Casty.

Currently a part of the team topping the Betfred Championship with 11 wins from 11, all away from home, it seems that Casty will once again be a Super League player next season, adding to his two spells with Catalans Dragons. Rémi talks to the lads all about his career so far including winning the Challenge Cup with the Dragons, COVID difficulties as an international side in a league which is mainly semi-professional, and promotion potential.

An experienced French international, there's so much more from him too with so many career highlights.

But, away from the Toulouse man, Cal and Eithan also discuss the standout games from the week just gone in rugby league. St Helens got the better of Catalans but then lost out surprisingly at home to Castleford Tigers, Super League's bottom club Leigh Centurions lost heavily to Leeds Rhinos but did come close against Hull KR previously, who next have a mouthwatering Hull Derby against fierce rivals FC.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Ben and Eithan return with Episode 9 of the Rugby League review and bring with them another guest, but this time around, it's one with a difference as Super League referee Liam Moore is the man in the hotseat!

Three weeks on from taking charge of his second consecutive Challenge Cup final at Wembley, Liam talks all things rugby league including how he first got into the sport, becoming a Super League official and the pressures of being the man in the middle when tensions are raised.

Still just 26, Liam also reveals how he had to make the difficult decision to walk away from a career in law as a solicitor - which he had trained for - to commit to becoming a full-time referee five years ago at the age of 21.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Cal, Ben and Eithan return with Episode 8 of the Rugby League review and bring with them another player guest in the form of Leigh Centurions' legend Ryan Brierley.

'Kez' talks the lads through his career including how he first got into the sport, becoming a Leigh legend then having to leave the club in 2016, a Canadian adventure with Toronto Wolfpack, a return to Leigh and towards the end of the episode goes onto talk about his new business venture 'The Players' Player'.

Ryan will now be out injured for the rest of the 2021 Super League campaign with an eye injury suffered earlier this month, and also opens up on just how tough that has been for him to cope with as well as falling out of love with rugby league earlier on his career.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Cal, Ben and Eithan return with Episode 7 of the Rugby League review, welcoming special guest Ben Jones-Bishop of the York City Knights onto the podcast prior to his trip to Wembley this weekend for the 1895 cup final against Featherstone Rovers. A Leeds Rhinos academy product, Jones-Bishop opens up on his career so far, from the highs of winning Grand Finals to the lows of having to sit out of the game due to the discovery of blood clots on his lungs.

A player with such success across his career and now 32, playing part-time while running a property business but simultaneously trying to lay past Wembley demons aside by lifting a cup under the arch with Championship outfit York to offset two previous defeats in finals there. An interview certainly not to be missed.

In addition to Ben's interview, the lads preview both the Challenge Cup and 1895 cup finals respectively. Can Castleford Tigers really lift their first Challenge Cup since 1986 by surprising St Helens, and can York upset the odds against hot favourites Featherstone Rovers in the pinnacle of cup competitions for the lower tiers?

Elsewhere, there's a round-up of some Super League and Championship games in recent times, including Wigan's first win in six over Huddersfield, and Salford's thrashing of a youthful Cas side away from home. With the second tier not having any action this weekend due to the 1895 cup final, Super League does take centre stage in the previews for games coming up in the near future, Catalans Dragons looking to do a double over Leeds and extend their lead at the top of the table in the process.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Eithan returns with Episode 6 of the Rugby League review and brings with it something new to the show, a one-on-one chat with special guest and friend of the podcast Matt Cook, currently with Widnes Vikings in the Betfred Championship.

Cook talks us through some of the most important and memorable stages of his career to date. How and why he switched from union to league in his early playing days, what it felt like to win the League Leaders Shield and walk out in a Grand Final at Old Trafford for Castleford Tigers in the 2017 campaign, going from playing full-time to part-time and now working as a ’Team Supervisor’ at this year’s Rugby League World Cup.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Eithan returns with Episode 5 of the Rugby League review, welcoming fellow Prost International writer Josh Knowles onto the podcast as a guest co-host. They are joined by special guest Peter Mata'utia of Castleford for an exclusive interview which sees the Tigers man open up on family life, his career to date and what it will mean to him to walk out at Wembley in the Challenge Cup Final later this month up against younger brother Sione in the St Helens ranks. After the interview, Mata'utia described it as the 'deepest' he'd ever gotten on a podcast, and it's not to be missed.

In addition to Peter's interview, Eithan and Josh discuss Leeds' big win over Warrington Wolves at the start of this week, and look ahead to round 14 in Super League as well as round 13 in the Betfred Championship. Wigan need to get back to winning ways at home to Huddersfield Giants on Sunday while Leigh are still winless this campaign and travel to Hull FC at the weekend having been defeated 64-22 by the Black and Whites just last month. Elsewhere, York are in desperate need of a win as they travel to the capital to take on London, with the Broncos having parted ways with head coach Danny Ward recently.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Cal, Ben and Eithan return with Episode 4 of the Rugby League review and are joined for by a special guest again as Catalans Dragons winger Tom Davies speaks about being top of the league, moving over to and living in France, his time with Wigan Warriors and much more. Davies was on the scoresheet again earlier this week as the Dragons eased past Huddersfield Giants, making it 10 wins in 11 games.

There's also round up of the last week across the Super League and Betfred Championship, with games being postponed, cancelled and re-arranged seemingly everyday at the moment. Warrington made it six wins in a row with a thumping victory over Wigan, Leigh lost out again and are now winless in 13 Super League games while Featherstone Rovers' dominance in the Championship continued.

Transfers are being made across the world of rugby league ahead of the next campaign, Warrington and Castleford Tigers the front runners in that field at the moment. It looks like George Williams will be joining Wire, but one question remains, when will it be?

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Cal, Ben and Eithan return with Episode 3 of the Rugby League review and are joined for the first time ever by a special guest as Salford Red Devils' Chris Atkin makes a guest appearance. The lads chat to Chris about how he got into the sport, being a part-time player while at University, his time with Hull KR and this season with Salford so far. Included in that, last week's drop goal heroics away at Huddersfield!

Additionally, there's a round up of the last week across the Super League and Betfred Championship. Warrington produced a good defensive performance to come away with a shock win from St Helens, Hull FC ran riot at Leigh and Featherstone's scintillating form rolled on.

The squads for England's clash against the Combined Nations All Stars have also been named, leaving Super League in absolute chaos with games being re-arranged, and teams unable to name full squads.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.

Cal, Ben and Eithan return with Episode 2 of the Rugby League review and round up what has been an action-packed week across the Super League and Betfred Championship. Salford slipped to another defeat, Catalan went top of the table with a narrow win at Leigh as games were postponed due to COVID-19, and London Broncos won away at Widnes in a thrilling encounter. 

This week's games are also previewed as both St Helens and Wigan return to action following last week's postponements. Saints have a local derby against Warrington to contend with while the Warriors take on Hull KR. Meanwhile, the lads look over the first of three State of Origin games  in Australia and preview England's clash against the Combined Nations All Stars.

All this and more in the Rugby League Review.