By the Balls

John catches up with former Rochdale Hornets coach Alan Kilshaw to talk about his career, his experiences coaching in Australia, his time with Rochdale in the Championship, the art of coaching and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

John and Ross discuss Super League's opening round, the beginning of the Six Nations and talk whether Liverpool and Leeds United's premiership bids are faltering. They give their take on the Ben Barba situation, round one wins for St Helens, Warrington and Castleford, and London's upset over Wakefield. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/suppo...

Ross and John go to Old Trafford for the much anticipated launch of Super League 2019. They speak to Catalans prop Remy Casty, Wakefield coach Chris Chester, St Helens winger Tommy Makinson, Salford halfback Jackson Hastings, Leeds coach David Furner and new Warrington signing Blake Austin to try and gauge the mood and feeling ahead of the new campagn. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://w...

Our special guest this week is League Weekly editor Paul Bennett as we talk the Lees - Radford and Hicken - the Jordan Rankin trade, Widnes takeover, NRL sex tapes, the changing world of sports journalism, Spygate, the hypocripsy in modern football and much more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

Ross and John sit down for the first episode of 2019 to talk about the Challenge Cup fiasco involving Catalans Dragons, the coming 2019 Super League season, Robert Elstone's promise of new beginnings and RFL bumbling. They also touch on the incident between Sale head coach Steve Diamond and journalist Sam Peters, look at the recent Manchester City win over Liverpool and muse on the stunning FA Cup...

John and Ross talk with Forty20 magazine editory Phil Caplan at Headingley Stadium about Leeds Rhinos, the Dave Furner era, the state of Super League, the prospect of a Eddie and Barry Hearn takeover and the appointment of Tony Adams by the RFL. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

John goes one on one with Warrington Wolves CEO Karl Fitzpatrick to discuss the state of Super League, Warrington's 2018 campaign, plans for 2019, the Robert Elston era and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

Ross catches up with Mick Hogan, the commercial director of Newcastle Falcons and chairman of Newcastle Thunder, to talk rugby union, rugby league, the moving of Magic Weekend, bidding for 2021 World Cup games and the battle for rugby eyeballs and fans in the north-east. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

We chew the fat with Sheffield Eagles coach Mark Aston as he takes us through the turbulent recent history of the Eagles, plans to play Toronto in Belgrade in 2019, Sheffield's bid for 2021 World Cup games, his time as coach of Ireland and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

John and Ross chew the fat with former Super League and NRL winger Brian Carney. Now the face of Sky Sports' Super League coverage, Carney give his frank assessment on the state of rugby league in England, what needs to change, media strategy, public relations, the change in governance and the international game. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--29...

John and Ross analyse the first two tests of the series between England and New Zealand, look at the impact of Wayne Bennett and the emergence of England as a real force. They also touch on the meeting between the All Blacks and England this weekend and look at the latest in Premier League, Championship and Champions League football. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/pod...

The team preview the England vs New Zealand Rugby League three Test series from the launch at Elland Road. They interview Kodi Nikorima, Elliot Whitehead, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Jesse Bromwich ahead of the first Test in Hull. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

Ross and John tackle the latest in Premier League and Championship football, from Jose Mourinho's sideline run-in to impressive Arsenal, Newcastle's wobbles, Middlesbrough top and Ipswich in trouble. They also look at the ups and downs at Sale, a growing trend of contentious red cards in rugby union, and touch on the Super League grand final and the latest in international rugby league. Become a s...

John and Ross were at Old Trafford for the 2018 Super League grand final press conference. They spoke to Wigan stars Dom Manfredi, Sam Tomkins and Joe Greenwood, and Warrington's Steve Price, Jack Hughes and Daryl Clark, in this special episode Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

We went to Old Trafford for the launch of Super League's 2018 Dream Team and the semi-finals. We caught up with owner Michael Carter and winger Tom Johnstone from Wakefield, St Helens trio Ben Barba, Danny Richardson and Luke Thompson, Castleford coach Daryl Powell and forward Mike McMeeken, chewed the fat with Warrington boss Steve Price and chatted with Wigan coach Shaun Wane. Become a supporter...

Ross and John go through the life and career of Jackson Hastings, touching on his current spell with Salford, his future, his upbringing in Wollongong, his journey in the NRL, his thoughts on Super League and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

John goes one on one with Barnsley midfielder Kenny Dougall in a special episode. They go through his footballing journey from the A-League to Holland and now League One in England, his experiences in the Eredivisie, his first taste of Socceroo camp, as well as his goals at Oakwell and future targets. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/suppor...

John and Ross delve into the life and career of Ryan Hinchcliffe, touch on his time in both the NRL and Super League, why he is retiring now, what his future holds and what it was like playing alongside of the best rugby league players of all time. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

John and Ross talk about the Super 8s, discuss troubles at Leeds Rhinos, Widnes Vikings and Hull FC, and debate where St Helens sit. They also muse about potential changes to Super League's structure, the death of the Denver Test, look at the start of the Premier League season, the unbeaten run of Liverpool and Watford, and interesting times at Old Trafford. Lastly they touch on the latest develop...

Ross and John chew the fat with rugby union journalist Jon Newcombe. The trio preview the 2018-2019 Premiership season, talk Sale and Newcastle, discuss the fortunes of Yorkshire Carnegie, Eddie Jones' England and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

Ross goes one on one with Catalans enforcer Sam Moa to talk about the 2018 Challenge Cup final, his time in France, the impact of coach Steve McNamara at the Dragons and his life in rugby league. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

In a French special, Ross is joined by Gary Carter from The Sun, Gareth Walker from The Daily Express, Bruno Onteniente from L'Independant and Steve Brady from Catalan Media to preview the 2018 Challenge Cup final between Catalans Dragons and Warrington Wolves. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

John and Ross sit down with former Cronulla Sharks chairman Damian Irvine. Damian has worked for Notts County and Wycombe Wanderers, and is now running commerical for Bradford Bulls. He talks about his life in sports administration, his time with Cronulla and his thoughts on rugby league in the UK. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/by-the-balls--2968437/support .

Ross, John and Gary Carter chat with special guess St Helens CEO Mike Rush. The trio talk about Mike's near two decades with the club, his initiatives to increase awareness of autism and raise money for autism charities, as well as the Challenge Cup semi-finals, Saints' specia; 2018 season and the current state of Super League. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/b...