By the Balls

Ross and John debate the Challenge Cup final, Warrington's amazing win over St Helens at Wembley. They talk about the 1895 Cup final and Sheffield's victory against Widnes, and the emergence of Salford as Super League contenders. They also debate the decline of the Bradford Bulls, England's squad for the 2019 Rugby Union World Cup and the financial difficulties hitting both Bolton Wanderers and Bu...

John catches up with ex-Sheffield Eagles prop and former Hemel Stags coach Jack Howieson. Jack talks about his life in rugby league, his Test career with Scotland, his experiences playing for the Sheffield Eagles, his coaching career, his time with Hemel and his future role with the new franchise in Ottawa. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/...

Ross and John head to MediaCity in Manchester for their Challenge Cup and 1895 Cup final preview. They talk to Jonny Lomax about St Helens' amazing season, Jason Clark about his first trip to Wembley, Mark Aston on Sheffield's return to Wembley 21 years after their thrilling final win, and Keiron Purtill about Widnes' tough campaign. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/pod...

John is joined by ex-Rochdale Hornets coach Alan Kilshaw to review the season today and look at St Helens' premiership charge, wobbles at Warrington and Catalans, the rise of Wigan, as well as the fight to avoid the drop between Huddersfield, Wakefield, Hull KR and London. They also discuss the battle for promotion to Super League between Toronto, Leigh, Toulouse, York and Fev, look at the League...

We spend a special afternoon with one Super League's all-time greats, Danny McGuire. John is joined by Phil Caplan and they talk to Danny about his outstanding career, his time at Hull KR, his decision to retire, his memories of his spell at Leeds Rhinos, his international career, his plans for the future and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--...

Ross and John are back and discuss the impact of St Helens coach Justin Holbrook's move to Gold Coast, break down Wigan's gritty win over Hull FC and the current financial issues faced by the Bradford Bulls. They also take a look at the upcoming Challenge Cup final, the growth of the women's game and Leeds United's preparations for the new Championship football season. Become a supporter of this p...

We take a trip to Bolton to preview the Challenge Cup tripleheader. We speak to St Helens coach Justin Holbrook, Warrington coach Steve Price, Hull FC coach Lee Radford and Halifax coach Simon Grix ahead of their Cup semi-finals. We also talk with Castleford star Georgia Roche and Leeds halfback Courtney Hill about women's rugby and their Challenge Cup final. Become a supporter of this podcast: ht...

We spend a morning with former Socceroo Mark Robertson. We go through Mark's playing career, from Marconi in the NSL to Burnley, Swindon Town, Dundee, St Johnstone and Stockport County in the UK, and cover his spell as a coach with Hakoah Sydney City. We also talk about his stint with Sydney FC and Perth Glory in the A-League, hus new role with Manchester City, his 16-year-old son Alex and get his...

We sit down with Halifax fullback Quentin Laulu-Togaga'e - better known as QLT. They go through his career and life, from Auckland to Brisbane and then northern England, and discuss his experiences playing alongside Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk in the Queensland Cup, winning grand finals with Sheffield and playing for Toronto. They also cover his brief Super League stint with Castleford, his retu...

Ross and John debate the latest round of Super League including Leeds beating Castleford, St Helens smashing Hull FC, Catalans thrashing Wakefield and Wigan rising. They also touch on recruitment at Leeds United, Sheffield United's chances of avoiding relegation, the Super Rugby final and Josh Warrington's victory over Kid Galahad. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

John spends an afternoon with Warrington Wolves coach Steve Price. They go through Steve's career, his upbringing in western Sydney and his playing days with St George and Balmain, and how he got into coaching. They discuss his time at the Dragons, working under Wayne Bennett, his spell as an NRL head coach, his stint at Cronulla and why he joined Cronulla. They also cover his experiences in Super...

TalkSport commentator and former professional player Craig Murdock joins Ross and John from an episode recorded at Hull KR's home ground KCOM Craven Park. They talk about Hull KR's sacking of Tim Sheens and appointment of Tony Smith, Super League's relegation battle, the departure of Leeds Rhinos captain Kallum Watkins to Gold Coast, the arrival of Luther Burrell at Warrington, the impact of John...

John chats about everything with Warrington Wolves star Blake Austin including his time in Super League, his upbringing in western Sydney, his love of rugby league, breaking into the NRL, his spell with Canberra Raiders, possibly representing Great Britain and a whole lot more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

John sits down with recently retired rugby league pro Cory Paterson. They talk about him hanging up his boots, his move into coaching and go through his 12-year career in the NRL with Newcastle, North Queensland and Wests, and in England with Hull KR, Salford, Leigh and Toronto Wolfpack. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

John heads to Super League's new offices in Manchester to speak to St Helens coach Justin Holbrook, Salford star Jackson Hastings and coach Ian Watson, Warrington coach Steve Price as well as Super League boss Robert Elstone. Elstone talks about Magic Weekend in Liverpool, his first year in power and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/s...

John and Ross are in Barcelona for the historic Catalans match against Wigan. They are joined in this episode by Warriors correspondent Phil Wilkinson to talk about the game at the Camp Nou, Shaun Wane, Super League and touch on the issues at Leeds Rhinos and David Furner's sacking. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

The dream partnership is finally back, Ross and John return in a blockbuster episode to alk about the sacking of Leeds coach David Furner, the latest round of the Challenge Cup, Magic Weekend, the dramatic Champions League semi-finals and rugby union's European Cup finals. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

In the second part of our special with Garry Schofield the 53-year-old opens up about his feuds with Maurice Lindsay and Doug Lawton, his relationship with Ellery Hanley, how he left Leeds for Huddersfield, retirement and the impact of the death of his wife Adele. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

Our guest is rugby league royalty, Garry Schofield. In Part I we speak to the ex-player about his background, his early days, how he ended up at Hull, his debut for Great Britain, his time in Sydney with Balmain, facing the all-mighty Kangaroos, the influence of his parents and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

John goes to west Yorkshire to speak to Featherstone Rovers hooker Cameron King. They talk about his journey, through the NRL to Fev, his rollercoaster career, being cut by Parramatta, playing alongside Johnathan Thurston, being coached by Wayne Bennett and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

John sits down with York City Knights coach James Ford. They talk about York's impressive start to 2019, James' background as a player, his coaching career, the transformation of the Knights, the future and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

John catches up with Rotherham United winger Ryan Williams. They talk about the Millers' fight to avoid relegation from the Championship and Williams' journey from Perth into English football as a teenager. They discuss Ryan's footballing family, his career from Portsmouth to Rotherman, his post-football plans, the challenges he has faced and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.s...

John goes to Belle Vue to speak to Wakefield owner and CEO Michael Carter. They talk about the transformation at Trinity, Michael's six years in charge, the impact of Chris Chester, the current state of Super League, recruitment and much more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

Ross catches up with Castleford Tigers winger James Clare and talks about his affiliation with his hometown club, his ups and downs at Bradford Bulls and Leigh Centurions, his plans for life after Super League and his burning desire to lift a major trophy with Daryl Powell's men. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

Ross and John give their take on the Widnes Vikings situation, rugby league's financial issues and the impending retirement of broadcaster Eddie Hemmings. They also touch on the last round of the Six Nations, plans for a new World League, Manchester United's manager hunt and the latest in the Premier League title chase between Liverpool and Manchester City. Become a supporter of this podcast: http...