For many, the Challenge Cup Final was their first real taste of the sport. Either watching on TV and listening to legendary commentators such as Eddie Waring and Ray French, or travelling down to Wembley to witness rugby league's 'big day out' in person.The 1968 'Watersplash' final remains iconic, but this list of top ten finals begins forty years ago with a record crowd of 99,801 inside the national stadium witnessing a classic encounter between two teams of rugby league superstars wearing their classic hooped kits. Peter Sterling and James Leuluai of Hull manufactured some memorable moments, and there was a sensational try for Wigan’s Henderson Gill, but it was Brett Kenny of Wigan who became the first Australian to win the Lance Todd Trophy as man-of-the-match after scoring a stunning try.Martin Offiah's 1994 length of the field score and iconic celebration, slumped to his knees with his head in his hands, is now immortalised as part of the rugby league statue at Wembley. Bradford Bulls superstar Robbie Paul scored the first-ever final hat-trick two years later and in 1998 Sheffield Eagles caused one of, if not, the biggest shock in a major final in any sport in any era. Head coach John Kear was at it again with Hull FC in 2005 as Paul Cooke danced his way over the line for a crucial late score. While one of the great Wembley tries occurred in 2011, a real family affair, made by Sam Tomkins and finished by brother Joel.Catalans Dragons played in the first final at the newly developed Wembley in 2007. They lost that day to St Helens, but just over a decade later returned to become the first non-English team in 121 years to win the cup. And when Papua New Guinea international half-back Lachlan Lam travelled half-way round the world to play for his father Adrian, his crucial golden point drop goal which claimed the cup for “Little old Leigh” 52 years after their last success, was the stuff of fairy tales.But which one will come out as the most memorable Challenge Cup Final?
The signing of overseas players hasn't always meant adding quality to the competition, but this list of the very best certainly did. Although it's fair to say some made much more of an impact than others.For instance, the 'greatest player of all-time', Andrew Johns, made just three appearances for Warrington at the end of the 2005 season, and couldn't lead them to silverware. In the 1980s it was common practice for legendary NRL players to sign short-term contracts in England during the off-season 'Down Under'. More recently, imports have actually made their name in Super League, winning Grand Finals, Challenge Cups and earning recognition as the Man of Steel.Widely regarded as one of the games' finest players, Australian international player and coach, Mal Meninga, joined St Helens for the 1984/85 season and helped them win the Lancashire Cup and Premiership title. While Kiwi centre, Dean Bell, won seven successive Challenge Cup Finals with Wigan, including three as captain, and made such an impact he was the subject of 'This is Your Life' in 1993.Robbie Paul followed his brother Henry to Bradford and lit up the game making rugby league 'cool'. He was named 'Super League Player of the Season' aged just 20, whilst loose-forward Adrian Vowles with Castleford, centre Jamie Lyon at St Helens, full-back Brett Hodgson with Huddersfield and winger and goal-kicking machine Pat Richards at Wigan were all crowned the 'Man of Steel' between 1999 and 2010.Joining Robbie at the Bulls was 'The Volcano', Lesley Vainikolo. The huge New Zealand winger won two Super League titles and three Challenge Cup finals with Bradford scoring 149 tries in 152 games. And more recently, Wigan's Bevan French has really shone in Super League, not only winning silverware, but incredibly being named as 'Player of the Match' in three finals during 2024.So, who will take the accolade as the greatest import of all?
There's nothing more dramatic than a game which is won or lost in the last meaningful moment. These are the ones which live longest in the memory for fans and players alike and which bring both tears of joy and despair in equal measure. And, when it's on the biggest stage, those memories last a lifetime.Some are lifted by the iconic commentary that sits alongside them. “Long fancies it, Long fancies it. It's wide to West, it's wide to West... ” makes the hairs on the back of the neck stand up to this day as Chris Joynt finished off an incredibly desperate last play for St Helens against Bradford that ultimately led to a Grand Final victory.Occasionally, these dramatic endings also settle city rivalries. David Hodgson for Rovers against FC at Magic Weekend and Chris Green the other way around the following year to equal the score for example. Whilst others have more major consequence, such as Shaun Johnson breaking English hearts at Wembley in the World Cup semi-final or Gareth O'Brien's huge drop-goal in the Million Pound Game which capped off an incredible comeback by Salford in golden point extra-time.Then there's the drama of the helicopter hovering over the Pennines, waiting to see where the trophy was heading, when Ryan Hall's last second try for Leeds at Huddersfield secured the League Leaders' Shield and completed part two of the Rhinos treble campaign.While Jack Welsby's try on the hooter for his home town club against their fiercest rivals in the Covid hit Grand Final was equally dramatic despite hardly anyone being there to witness it. The players waited anxiously for the video referee to check it was a try and when confirmed went absolutely wild, even though there was no-one else there to celebrate with them!The more personal the occasion, the more memorable is the ending, and there's absolutely nothing worse than losing that way, but nothing beats winning like that either.
These are the guys who used to play on 'the edge'. In the days when almost everything was considered 'legal', some were employed as enforcers, whilst others never ever took a backward step. Many were just simply fearless, but you'd definitely try and avoid running towards all of them. They are rugby league's hard men.Rugby league was a little bit different in the 1990s. A mainly part-time sport where the attributes of some players could have easily secured themselves alternative employment as bouncers! Such as the charging rhino himself, Barrie McDermott, who used a not so subtle trick to further intimidate his opponents. Or Kelvin Skerrett, who won six Championships and four Challenge Cups with Wigan. The Wales and Great Britain international is the man described as a "dirty get" on Mick Morgan's famous viral commentary.Castleford legend Mal Reilly was just as tough as a coach as he was as a player. When he moved to Manly he used to ask his team-mates who the toughest players on the opposition were so he could target them to gain respect. Later, he coached at Newcastle Knights, where he found out which of his players had the best records on the rowing machine before smashing them all with his own stamina and fitness. He's even got a an intense training drill named after him... the Malcolm!And then there's the likes of Adrian Morley. Known as 'The Enforcer' in Australia, 'Moz' kept his own little black book to keep tabs on opponents who were due a little retribution. He once received a seven-match ban for kneeing an opponent in the chest. However, the ban was expected to be more than double that before a character reference from long-time foe 'Big' Willie Mason described him as "one of the toughest players in the toughest competition in the world" helped his case.There's a fine line between legal and illegal violence in rugby league and often some of these fellas crossed it. Nowadays it would lead to an instant red card, but that doesn't mean hard men don't exist in the sport today. They just go about showing it slightly differently!
Tanya Arnold, Kevin Brown, Andrew Henderson and John Kear reflect on a gripping Grand Final after Wigan defeated Hull KR 9-2. Victory meant the Warriors completed an incredible quadruple in 2024 and their CEO and former player, Kris Radlinski, joins the team to give an insight in to the preparations, celebrations and what now lies ahead for the most successful side of the Super League era.
It’s Grand Final week with Wigan Warriors and Hull KR battling for the right to be crowned Super League Champions. Tanya Arnold is at Old Trafford to preview the biggest night of the Rugby League year. Wigan are looking to win the Grand Final for the 7th time, whilst Hull KR are playing in their very first Super League title decider. Head Coach Matt Peet and players Bevan French and Kruise Leeming offer an insight into the Warriors’ preparations as they seek to lift their fourth trophy of the campaign. Hull KR boss Willie Peters, Captain Elliot Minchella and forward James Batchelor reveal their thoughts ahead of the big game. Rugby League legend Paul Sculthorpe and commentator Matt Newsum set the scene for what promises to be an epic contest.
Tanya Arnold and Kevin Brown look ahead to a crucial weekend of Super League action featuring the Women’s Grand Final in St Helens and the Semi-finals in the men’s competition. Zoe Harris of St Helens and York Valkyrie’s Kelsey Gentles join the podcast to talk about their preparations for the Women’s Final in which Saints will be looking to complete the Treble against the defending Champions from York. They describe their own journeys through the sport, the physical and mental demands of playing the game and their own personal motivations for Sunday’s Final. Grand Final places are up for grabs in the Men’s competition and Kevin offers his analysis of the two Semi-finals.Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised you can find support via the BBC Action Line at https://bbc.co.uk/actionline/
It’s Play-off time in the 2024 Men’s Super League season and six teams are still standing in the race to be crowned Champions at the home of Manchester United. Tanya Arnold is at the official launch event to preview the upcoming series with representatives from all the teams involved. Salford coach Paul Rowley and his Leigh counterpart Adrian Lam look ahead to their clash in the elimination round, where the winners will progress to the semi-finals but the loser’s season will end. It’s the same scenario for Warrington and St Helens when they meet on Saturday. Warrington Full-back Matt Dufty and St Helens Coach Paul Wellens reflect on their seasons so far and what they hope to achieve in the play-offs. Wigan and Hull KR have earned a week off in the opening round of matches and we find out from Liam Marshall, Mikey Lewis and Willie Peters how they will approach the break. Leeds’ Rhyse Martin discusses his final season with the Rhinos and Rugby League legend Paul Sculthorpe makes some predictions about how the play-off series might unfold. Tara Jones of St Helens and York Valkyrie’s Sade Rihari react to their success in the Women’s semi-finals before they meet in the Grand Final on October 6th.
As a player and coach Mike Ford has been involved at the very top level in both codes of Rugby and is currently the Managing Director of Oldham. He talks to Tanya Arnold about the recent revival at the club which has seen them promoted to the Championship, and reveals his vision for Rugby League in the town which prioritises pathways for junior players and establishing a permanent base at Boundary park. He reflects on his time as a player with Wigan, and his coaching journey through Rugby Union, including spells with Ireland, England, Saracens and Bath. He discusses why so many Rugby League players have become successful defence coaches in Rugby Union, and ponders whether it might be time to start a discussion on merging the two codes. Ford also talks about the challenges his club face in gathering enough grading points for potential promotion to Super League one day, and whether his England Rugby Union international son George might play Rugby League for Oldham in the future.
Salford Red Devils captain Kallum Watkins joins the podcast as his team continue their quest to secure a place in the Super League play-offs. After losing two of their key players before the start of the campaign Salford have defied expectations this year and enter the final fortnight of the season in fourth place. Watkins reveals some of the secrets to their success and discusses his own positional move from centre to second-row forward. He highlights the players who influenced him most during his early career at Leeds Rhinos, and responds to recent speculation linking him with a return to Headingley. He talks openly about the three ACL injuries he has suffered during his career and how he hopes that talking about his mental health challenges will help others in the future.
Leeds Rhinos’ Sporting Director Ian Blease joins the podcast to talk about his role at one of the biggest clubs in Rugby League. After an inconsistent season the Rhinos have three games left to secure a place in the play-offs and Blease discusses the decision to bring in Brad Arthur as Head Coach midway through the campaign. He talks about his short, medium and long-term goals for the club, and the pressures of trying to deliver success for the eight-time Grand Final winners. Transfer deals, the financial challenges facing the sport and development pathways for players are also on the agenda.
With four rounds to go until the Super League play-offs it’s Hull KR who lead the way at the top of the table and their captain Elliot Minchella joins the podcast to talk about the run-in. He discusses the secrets of their success in 2024, and how the players have benefited from the philosophies of Head Coach Willie Peters. Minchella reflects on his own Rugby League career, including a spell playing part-time with Bradford which he combined with work on a building site. He reflects on his England debut, the influences on his career as a loose forward and the challenges of captaincy. He also discusses the progress that has been made on and off the field at Hull KR in the last few years.
Canberra Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead joins the podcast to talk about rugby league life in the Australian Capital and his move back to Super League at the end of the year. He reveals how a promise to Catalan Chairman Bernard Gausch will see him return to the south of France for one last season before he retires from the game and sets up a new life in Australia. He reflects on his early days with his hometown club Bradford, and discusses the best players he has played against. He also chats about the highlights of his international career with England and Great Britain.
Warrington’s Lachlan Fitzgibbon joins Tanya Arnold and Kevin Brown to talk about his first year in Super League. The second row forward joined the Wolves from Newcastle in Australia for the start of the 2024 campaign and is widely considered to be one of the best signings of the season. He reveals how playing in the northern hemisphere has been a long-term goal, and how recent successes for the Super League clubs in the World Club Challenge underlines the quality of the British game. He describes the lessons Warrington have learnt from their defeat in the Challenge Cup Final and their goals for the rest of the season. He talks about exploring Europe, rugby league in Las Vegas, watching the Euros, and as an Australian living in the UK what does he think of the British summer?
In an emotional 5 live Rugby League Podcast, Tanya Arnold and former stand-off Kevin Brown are joined by Leigh flying winger Josh Charnley. The former England international opens up about the highs and lows of his stellar career, including the drive to become Super League’s record try-scorer, the joy of the Leopards recent Challenge Cup success, his long-term passion for fishing and bricklaying, falling out of love with the sport and the heartache of a fellow player mocking his disabled son.
Reflections on the victories for England’s Men and Women in the mid-season internationals against France. Author and journalist Steve Mascord was at both matches in Toulouse and shares some ideas about how to raise the profile of international Rugby League in the Northern Hemisphere. England men’s Assistant Coach Andy Last and debutant Elliot Minchella assess their game, and Head Coach Stuart Barrow gives his reaction to a comfortable win for England’s women and looks ahead to future challenges for his team.
Toulouse Head Coach Sylvain Houles joins Tanya Arnold and Kevin Brown. As the England men’s and women’s teams head across the channel for a weekend of international Rugby League they discuss the status of the sport in France and what the future holds for Toulouse under the new grading system for clubs. Houles reflects on the challenges of Toulouse’s last Super League campaign in 2022 and lessons the sport can learn from that season to help grow the game on the continent. He reveals how his interest in Rugby League first came about, the philosophies that have shaped his coaching career and how working with Rugby League players compares to life on the family sheep farm in the French countryside.
Matt Newsum is joined by Hull KR winger Ryan Hall and England Head Coach Shaun Wane. Hall crossed for his 248th Super League try last week and is now the leading try-scorer in the competition’s history. He reflects on the relief of reaching the milestone and picks out some of his favourite scores from his record-breaking tally. Shaun Wane looks ahead to England’s 2024 schedule which now includes a two match series against Samoa in the autumn, and a game in France at the end of June.
Wigan winger Liam Marshall joins Matt Newsum and Kevin Brown to discuss the Warriors success in the 2024 Challenge Cup Final. Their victory at Wembley means they now hold all four trophies available to them, with the Super League title, League Leaders Shield and World Club Challenge already residing in the Wigan trophy cabinet. We hear about the Warriors post match celebrations, their motivation to win more silverware, and how a unique culture in the club drove them to their current position as the undisputed Kings of British rugby league. There are also reflections on St Helens’ fourth consecutive victory in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final and Wakefield’s triumph in the 1895 Cup Final against Sheffield.
Former team-mate Sam Burgess and Daryl Powell, the coach who gave Rob Burrow his first start in Super League, lead tributes to the Leeds Rhinos Legend who died on Sunday. They reflect on his amazing achievements as a player and his drive to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease after his diagnosis in December 2019. The Wigan coach Matt Peet describes the impact Burrow had on the whole of Rugby League and how Saturday’s Challenge Cup Finals Day provides the perfect platform for people to pay their respects. Players and personalities involved in the Men’s and Women’s Finals and the 1895 Cup Final look ahead to the matches on what will be an emotional day under the Wembley arch.
Ralph Allmond
what does this have to do with Rugby League?
Doug Dickinson
Why edit KBs comments? What did he say about warrington?
Gareth Robson
Union?