Rugby League Back Chat

Andy Gregory - League of Legends

Two absolute legends of league join Matt Shaw for this lockdown edition of Back Chat. Paul Sculthorpe (not forgetting the important MBE) and Lee Briers (no MBE but still quite important) discuss such things as why we don’t beat the Aussies at their own game...Why the next generation is way behind the last in playing hours....Who the most underrated players are....And why Lee Briers refuses to eat anything on a Monday. All this and more on this week's Rugby League Back Chat. 

The brothers King join Matt Shaw to examine the return of the reserve grade, and the practicalities of Xmas fixtures, plus what happens if you start a SYKPE interview with 10% battery life. 

With German football making a return, albeit behind closed doors, could we now expect a modified RL fixture, or a new league that still incorporates promotion?The salary cap is back in the news with proposals to shrink it, but is that not one almighty step backwards?And what happens if you throw a wet paper towel at Martin Offiah?All this and more as HKR’s Ryan Brierley and Leigh head coach John Duffy join host Matt Shaw on this weeks Rugby League Back Chat.

On the anniversary week of one of the biggest Rugby League Challenge Cup giant killings, Matt Shaw is joined by two of the key figures responsible. Sheffield Eagles head coach Mark Aston  relives the day they beat Wigan with his then coach John Kear. Also under the spotlight - could the clubs still finish this season with a Grand Final at the end of November?With some people suggesting a Winter season instead,  is this really an alternative, considering most playing contracts are up on November 30?And just how did JK make falling over advertising hoardings look cool?All this and more on this week's Rugby League Back Chat

All this weeks news from the world of Rugby League hosted by Matt Shaw.

Matt Shaw is joined in discussion by Leigh owner Derek Beaumont and player agent Craig Harrison. The beginning of May hails the start of Rugby League transfer movements but as there’s no movement on the field are we likely to see any off it?Super League don’t want promotion and relegation but  it’s the RFL that makes those decisions, so do we really need two governing bodies? And how much would you pay for a bottle of vodka - £300 perhaps? yes it really is part of this weeks Rugby League Back Chat  along with a whole lot more this Thursday on FreeSports. 

one of 3 part documentary special

Still in the throws of the Covid-19 pandemic we continue with the second of our "Legends of League" stories as Garry Schofield steers us through his playing days which includes being the world's most expensive Rugby League player and the dizzy heights of captaining the Great Britain Lions in their famous and successful 1992 Australia and New Zealand tour.  All that and more on Rugby League Back Chat

COVID-19 special documentary

Matt Shaw brings you the very latest in the world of Rugby League directly from his new kitchen. Derek Beaumont joins the debate from one of his bedrooms while Luke Gale opts for a more casual lounge chair look. Not to be out done Gareth Walker goes head to head with Damian Irvine for the “ I’m in my study” look. And Ryan Brierley and Steve Mascord try to up the tempo with who’s got the brightest ceiling light in this very, very, special episode brought to you via the mobile phone network. Despite these difficult times there’s still top talk as the games future sails into uncharted waters and not a compass in sight.

Depleted Rugby League fixtures but a full Rugby League show as host Matt Shaw discusses the current trend to suspend life as we know it. Former Giants legend big Eorl Crabtree, Head of Referees Steve Ganson and players rep Garreth Carvell make up the guest trio debating how the game can survive - or not - with the current sanctions. The blame game continues, as far as refereeing is concerned, and nobody knows better than Steve Ganson. And should Lee Radford have been dismissed in the way he was or should he have been dismissed at all?

Former Leeds legend Danny Maguire and player agent Craig Harrison join Matt Shaw and League Express editor Martyn Sadler for another round of top Rugby League discussions. Just how tough are things for McGuire at HKR and can Mr. Harrison provide some of the answers? Ottawa and New York are on the starters block but can they learn anything from the path already trodden by Toronto? As the Wolfpack come to terms with harsh SL reality are they asking too much from Sonny Bill? And how important is the reserve grade to the functioning of any Rugby League club?

A brand new series of wall to wall Rugby League chat as the 2020 season picks up pace. Matt Shaw is joined by two of the sports biggest publishers Martyn Sadler from League Express and the top dog from Forty20 publication, Phil Caplan, along with special guest England head coach Shaun Wane who will divulging his task of assembling an international side to win the World Cup next year. Also under the microscope are the newbies Toronto and the current happenings at Warrington.

So North America is now officially part of the Super League family after the gallant part timers of Featherstone Rovers failed to overturn the full time might of the Toronto Wolfpack. Brian McDermott asks everyone to embrace his team but we wonder who the chairmen of the other clubs were cheering for during the game? Now is the time for player transfer speculation and who better to start with than the Kiwi King Sonny Bill Williams. And as Salford prepare for the short walk over to Old Trafford what do they need to do to avoid the losers long walk courtesy of St Helens in the most unexpected combination of teams for the seasons finale. Matt Shaw is joined for the big debate by Rugby League player agent Craig Harrison, Castleford Tigers player James Clare and League Express publisher Martyn Sadler to discuss all this and more on Rugby League Back Chat

Featherstone Rovers are but 80 minutes from a season in Super League, and once the travel fatigue of the game in France wears off they can look forward to a schlep to Canada to settle their new season’s plans. As Toronto prepare their strategy for the Featherstone visit, should the Super League be now demanding the Wolfpack’s fulfilment of criteria for SL status or, is it up to Robert Elstone’s men to be even asking such questions? And, are former NRL players good value for money or simply over priced journeymen? Matt Shaw is joined for the big debate by Rugby League entrepreneur Ricky Wilby, Huddersfield Giants MD Richard Thewlis and Wolfpack advisor Martin Vickers to discuss all this and more on Rugby League Back Chat

Featherstone Rovers book a place in the Championship Preliminary Final as their Super League horizon comes into view, or could that be a false dawn? Should Thursday night matches be scrapped or do supporters have to continue dancing to the broadcasters tune? And, are there really any more surprises ahead as Salford shape up to face Cas and St Helens meet up with their old chums Wigan. Matt Shaw is joined for the big debate by League Express publisher Martyn Sadler, Huddersfield Giants player Ollie Roberts and Featherstone Head Coach Ryan Carr to discuss all this and more on Rugby League Back Chat.

As the London Broncos ship begins to sink from Super League waters, and players start jumping for their futures, perhaps now is the right time for the club to move in with Brentford FC and share an 18000 seater stadium? Calmer waters at Huddersfield or maybe this is just the calm before a very big storm? Is it one rule for one club and one for another? There’s growing concern that Toronto are facing a barrage of bias as they aim to meet the minimum standards to join the elite in Super League, however SL-CEO Robert Elstone says there is absolutely no bias whatsoever, not even in France. And, despite all the success of the St Helens season, could arch rivals Wigan be ready to steal the Super League crown? Matt Shaw is joined for the big debate by League Express publisher Martyn Sadler, Huddersfield Giants assistant coach Willie Poching and Halifax head coach Simon Grix to discuss all this and more on Rugby League Back Chat,

The stage is set for the big Friday the 13th showdown with all eyes on London.....or maybe Hull KR or maybe Huddersfield? Head injuries are to be treated seriously, right? So why are teams seeing this as an opportunity to cheat? Newcastle Thunder have set a date to win Super League, so if you’re not doing anything in 2030 then make a date to watch history being made. And despite everything that’s happened, should the big brand of Bradford Bulls entitle them to stay and play at Odsall? Matt Shaw is joined by Newcastle Thunder’s Mick Hogan, former Cronulla Sharks boss Damian Irvine and Broncos fan Ron Knox to discuss all this, and more on Rugby League Back Chat

Eamonn McManus throws up a promotion- relegation diversion as he bemoans the officiating capabilities of Robert Hicks during the Challenge Cup final and now the RFL’s compliance team are requiring a word in McManus’s shell like. Are Toronto really ready for Super League or are the Championship’s seasoned campaigners a better bet? and 85 years of Rugby League comes to a sad end at Odsal as the Bulls vacate a place they’ve called home since 1934. Matt Shaw is joined by Featherstone Rovers Manager of Football Steve Gill, and Super League players Will Maher and Craig Huby.