• #103: John Kear on Championship Playoffs, Super League Promotion & Lewis Dodd’s Future
    Aug 27 2025

    In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and host Jake Kearnan are joined by Batley Bulldogs coach John Kear for a wide-ranging discussion on the Championship playoffs, Super League, and the international game.

    🏉 Topics include:

    • How the Championship playoff race is shaping up
    • Which club John believes should be promoted to Super League next year
    • His prediction for the Championship winners
    • Reaction to the weekend’s Super League action:
      • Leeds Rhinos defeating Hull KR
      • Wigan Warriors welcoming back Bevan French and Junior Nsemba to beat Wakefield
    • Who John expects to feature in the Super League Grand Final
    • The proposed merger of the Championship and League 1 competitions
    • The future of Lewis Dodd — will he stay in the NRL, and what advice would John give him?
    • Ivan Cleary’s bold call to rest all of his players for the Bulldogs clash

    With expert insights from one of Rugby League’s most respected coaches, this episode delivers sharp analysis and strong opinions on the biggest stories in the game.

    🔔 Subscribe to the League Express Podcast for more exclusive Rugby League interviews, Super League analysis, and weekly updates from the world of Rugby League.

    #RugbyLeague #SuperLeague #ChampionshipRugbyLeague #JohnKear #BatleyBulldogs #LeedsRhinos #HullKR #WiganWarriors #BevanFrench #JuniorNsemba #LewisDodd #IvanCleary #NRL #SuperLeagueGrandFinal #League1 #ChampionshipMerger #RugbyLeaguePodcast

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • #102: Payne Haas Chooses Samoa, Billy Smith for England | League Express Podcast
    Aug 20 2025

    🎙️ In this week's episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and host Jake Kearnan break down another huge weekend of Super League action and the biggest talking points across the sport.

    🏉 Topics include:

    • Hull KR’s dramatic win over the Wigan Warriors in a top-of-the-table clash
    • How Wigan battled without stars Bevan French and Junior Nsemba
    • Payne Haas choosing to represent Samoa over Australia
    • Billy Smith putting his hand up for Shaun Wane's England side
    • Are Hull KR favourites to win the League Leaders’ Shield?
    • Salford Red Devils vs Wakefield Trinity cancelled – the latest on the situation
    • Martyn shares the latest whispers on which clubs could join Super League in 2026

    From international rugby league to Super League expansion rumours, this episode is packed with analysis, debate, and exclusive insight you won’t find anywhere else.

    🔔 Subscribe now to the League Express Podcast for more weekly Rugby League analysis, breaking Super League news, and insider updates.

    #SuperLeague #RugbyLeague #HullKR #WiganWarriors #BevanFrench #JuniorNsemba #PayneHaas #SamoaRugbyLeague #EnglandRugbyLeague #BillySmith #SalfordRedDevils #WakefieldTrinity #LeagueLeadersShield #SuperLeagueExpansion #RugbyLeaguePodcast

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    55 mins
  • #101: Huddersfield’s Big Mistake? Tim Butcher on IMG, Brad Arthur & 14-Team Super League
    Aug 13 2025

    🎙️ In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and host Jake Kearnan welcome Rugby League Yearbook author Tim Butcher for an in-depth conversation about the sport’s history and the biggest stories in today’s game.

    🏉 Topics include:

    • The origins of League Express and how Martyn & Tim first launched it
    • What it takes to research and write the annual Rugby League Yearbook
    • Why the Huddersfield Giants changing stadiums could be a costly mistake
    • The Leeds Rhinos re-signing coach Brad Arthur and what it means for the club
    • Which clubs Tim would include in a 14-team Super League
    • His verdict on IMG’s impact on Rugby League
    • Previewing this weekend’s blockbuster clash: Wigan Warriors vs Hull KR

    From behind-the-scenes publishing stories to passionate debates about the future of the sport, this episode delivers history, insight, and analysis for every Rugby League fan.

    🔔 Subscribe now for more exclusive Rugby League interviews, breaking Super League news, and expert analysis from the team at League Express.

    #RugbyLeague #SuperLeague #LeagueExpress #TimButcher #MartynSadler #HuddersfieldGiants #LeedsRhinos #BradArthur #WiganWarriors #HullKR #RugbyLeagueYearbook #IMG #SuperLeagueNews #14TeamSuperLeague #RugbyLeaguePodcast

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • #100: “Super League in Crisis or Evolution? Eamonn McManus Talks RFL, IMG & Playoff Hopes”
    Aug 6 2025

    🎙️ In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and host Jake Kearnan sit down with St Helens Chairman Eamonn McManus for an unmissable conversation about the current state and future of Super League.

    🏉 Topics covered include:

    • The proposed 14-team Super League expansion for 2025
    • St Helens' push toward the playoffs
    • Has IMG’s involvement in Rugby League been a success?
    • Eamonn’s personal journey into Rugby League
    • His concerns with the video referee system
    • The long-term future of the sport under the RFL’s direction

    Eamonn pulls no punches as he shares his insights on the decisions shaping the game, the challenges facing top clubs, and what needs to change for Super League to thrive.

    🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to stay updated with the biggest conversations in Rugby League.

    #SuperLeague #StHelensRLFC #EamonnMcManus #RugbyLeaguePodcast #RFL #SuperLeagueExpansion #IMG #RugbyLeagueNews #LeagueExpress

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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • #99 - League Express - Wakefield Trinity Owner Matthew Ellis joins the show
    Jul 31 2025

    In this week's episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan are joined by Wakefield Trinity Owner Matthew Ellis. They discuss Wakefield's rebuild under Ellis, there return to Super League and what the future holds for the club. Matt gives his thoughts on the decision to move to 14 teams, his honest assessment of the state of the game and if he thinks they should stop at 14 teams.

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • League Express - Will a 14 team Super League work?
    Jul 29 2025

    In this week's mini episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan discuss Super League expanding to 14 teams. They discuss whether it is enough notice for clubs, who will be brought up and whether Salford will remain in 2026.

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    25 mins
  • #98 - League Express - Gary Hetherington joins the show to talk London Broncos future
    Jul 22 2025

    In this week's episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan are joined by Leeds Rhinos CEO Gary Hetherington to talk the future of the London Broncos. Gary discusses the new direction London are taking, new investment opportunities and whether he supports a 14-team Super League. He discusses what his new role with London will entail, his discussions with Australian investors and the potential Rugby League has in London if marketed correctly.

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    39 mins
  • #97 - League Express - New RFL Chair Nigel Wood joins the show
    Jul 16 2025

    In this week's episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan are joined by RFL Chair Nigel Wood. They discuss Nigel's appointment as RFL Chair, Tueday's meeting with club's about the strategic review and what the future of the game holds. They discuss the potential of a 14 team Super League, getting the RFL's finances in order and the NRL's interest in Super League. They discuss the future of French clubs, the next broadcasting agreement and how the game can better market itself.

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    1 hr and 5 mins