5 live Rugby League

Shaun Edwards talks to Dave Woods about his memories of the classic 1985 Challenge Cup final ahead of a special programme on BBC1 on Saturday afternoon; Catalans’ Sam Tomkins gives an insight into life under lockdown in the south of France; and Salford’s Kevin Brown advises on how to keep optimistic during the crisis and the difficulty of teaching long division.

Tony Smith, one of the game’s most successful coaches in the modern era, tells Dave Woods he wants Rugby League to reset and chase new goals when the Coronavirus crisis is over; and Iestyn Harris, playing legend and now players’ agent, reveals the advice he’s giving his player clients and how they are reacting to the shut down.

Ralph Rimmer, CEO of the RFL, talks to Dave Woods about how rugby league is coping with the coronavirus crisis and reveals his talks with the government amount funding, how it threatens the key dates in the calendar and what rugby league may look like afterwards. Plus Steve McCormack from Rugby League Cares talks about how the charity is helping with communities and mental health issues, and St Helens forward Joe Batchelor offers advice on how to keep the nation moving whilst isolated at home.

On this week’s 5 Live Rugby League Podcast we shine a light on the North-East of England. The sport’s ‘Magic Weekend’ returns to the city of Newcastle in May and the area will be home to more matches at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup than any other part of the country. Newcastle Thunder are heading the push to spread the Rugby League gospel in this traditional football heartland and Matt Newsum talks to their Managing Director Mick Hogan and General Manager Jordan Robinson about the explosion of interest in the sport locally and the Thunder’s plans to win the Super League Grand Final by 2030.

Sandy Shipley, is a Toronto Wolfpack superfan and she reveals some myth-busting facts about Toronto, plus Julia Lee, a pioneer for the women’s game back in the 1980’s when she became the first woman to officiate a men's rugby league game in the UK. Julia took up refereeing aged 17 after seeing an advert in a matchday programme while watching her beloved Hull KR.