The Love Rugby League Podcast

Samoa's 2000 World Cup captain Willie Poching joins Love Rugby League's George Riley for a special semi-final podcast as Samoa seek revenge on England, and New Zealand bid to topple world champions Australia. Poching discuss the pride and emotion of watching Samoa beat Tonga in a memorable quarter-final in Warrington, and reveals the key components to Samoa's remarkable resurgence since their 60-6 defeat to England on the opening day of the competition. The former Wakefield coach also reveals the truth behind being turned away from Samoa's training base and the subsequent conversations with head coach Matt Parish, and discusses why Parish has been so prickly with the media during the tournament. Poching also reveals his own future plans, and how he and his family are discussing leaving the UK after 25 years in the British game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back for a World Cup podcast special, with host George Riley discussing all the latest with editor James Gordon and deputy editor Drew Darbyshire. The men's tournament heads into the quarter-finals this weekend, with Shaun Wane's England set to take on Papua New Guinea in Wigan on Saturday. Australia and Lebanon kick-off the quarter-finals action on Friday in Huddersfield. Meanwhile, New Zealand face Fiji in Hull on Saturday evening, while Samoa will come head-to-head with Tonga in Warrington on Sunday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NRL and Super League winner and former Ireland international Pat Richards is this week’s guest on the Love Rugby League podcast. The former Parramatta, Wests Tigers, Wigan and Catalans winger joins host George Riley to reflect on his career and discuss life after league. Richards, 40, discusses Wigan’s culture and the ‘best’ eight years of his life in the Super League competition. The Australian-born player looks ahead to the World Cup and reflects on representing his heritage with Ireland...

NRL and Super League winner and former Ireland international Pat Richards is this week's guest on the Love Rugby League podcast. The former Parramatta, Wests Tigers, Wigan and Catalans winger joins host George Riley to reflect on his career and discuss life after league. Richards, 40, discusses Wigan's culture and the 'best' eight years of his life in the Super League competition. The Australian-born player looks ahead to the World Cup and reflects on representing his heritage with Ireland on the international stage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Super League winner and current Featherstone Rovers player and coach Adam Cuthbertson is this week's guest on the Love Rugby League podcast! The 37-year-old joins host George Riley for this week's big interview on the podcast. A former NRL forward, Cuthbertson discusses his time at Leeds and the success he enjoyed, as well as looking at the current resurgence at the Rhinos. Cuthbertson discusses the fight for promotion to Super League, with his club Featherstone facing Batley Bulldogs in the semi-finals in the Championship this weekend. Meanwhile, deputy editor Drew Darbyshire joins the show to discuss all the latest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warrington's 2023 recruit and Wales international forward Gil Dudson is this week's guest on the Love Rugby League podcast. The former Wigan and Salford prop joins host George Riley for this week's big interview. Dudson, 32, discusses his time at Catalans and the frustrating end to his time in France following the club's play-off defeat to Leeds. He also talks about his experiences at Wigan and World Cup doubts while looking ahead to joining Daryl Powell's Wolves next season. Dudson also reveals the time he nearly hung up the boots during his career due to the ruthlessness of the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a Super League Dream Team special on this week's Love Rugby League podcast! Host George Riley and Love Rugby League deputy editor Drew Darbyshire caught up with some of the stars that were included in the team last weekend. Wigan fans can enjoy hearing from in-form full-back Jai Field about his combination with team-mate Bevan French, making the Dream Team and loving Manchester city life. Super League play-off underdogs Salford Red Devils feature with try-scoring talent Ken Sio. The winger discusses being underdogs and wanting a long-term stay at the club. Huddersfield and now World Cup hopeful Chris McQueen also joins the show. The back-rower talks about how he came over to Super League with a point to prove and wanting to play for England at this year's tournament. Additionally, St Helens and Leeds supporters can hear from Jack Welsby and Mikolaj Oledzki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Toulouse Olympique winger and Scotland international Matty Russell is this week's guest on the Love Rugby League podcast. The 29-year-old joins host George Riley for this week's big interview. Russell discusses Toulouse’s relegation from Super League after just one year in the top flight and where his future lies in 2023. The winger also opens up on his personal journey and the rollercoaster of his career, including problems with gambling and alcohol. Meanwhile, reporter Josh McAllister joins the show to discuss all the latest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wigan Warriors assistant coach Lee Briers joins host George Riley for this week’s Love Rugby League podcast. Briers, 44, joined Wigan in October 2021 as part of the club’s new coaching team under Matt Peet. The former international half-back discusses his coaching journey, from leaving Warrington, his chance at Wigan and the unmissable opportunity at Brisbane Broncos. Briers will make the move to the NRL club as transition coach at the end of 2022, and discusses how he believes things happen for a reason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rugby League World Cup 2021 chief executive Jon Dutton joins host George Riley for this week's Love Rugby League podcast. The World Cup boss discusses the work behind this year's tournament and how it will become the best one year when it kicks-off on October 15. This year's World Cup will be the biggest and best yet, according to Dutton and officials, with 61 matches scheduled. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wigan winger Liam Marshall joins host George Riley for this week’s Love Rugby League podcast. Marshall discusses his unique journey in his career to first-team rugby league during this week’s big interview. The 26-year-old almost turned his back on the sport to go into accountancy as a youngster before making his mark at the Warriors. He also talks through his World Cup hopes with England and the current season at Wigan under Matt Peet in his debut year in charge. Meanwhile, reporter Josh McAllister joins the show to discuss all the latest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

St Helens and England prop forward Alex Walmsley is this week's guest on the Love Rugby League podcast. The 32-year-old joins host George Riley for the latest big interview, reflecting on his career and looking ahead to the Rugby League World Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Tomkins is the latest guest on the Love Rugby League captain! The Catalans Dragons and England international full-back joins host George Riley for this week’s big interview. Tomkins, 33, discusses his club’s goals of reaching the Grand Final this season. He also has his say following alleged comments that Catalans Dragons bring nothing to Super League. The former Wigan number one discusses this year’s Rugby League World Cup, while revealing Shaun Edwards is his neighbour! He also believes James Roby will pull on the England shirt for this year’s tournament if fit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining host George Riley this week is Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley on the Love Rugby League podcast. The former player discusses his debut season in charge of the Super League side, who are eyeing up a spot in the play-offs in Super League. Rowley, 47, discusses Brodie Croft's first season with the club and the growing partnership he has made with Marc Sneyd and Ryan Brierley. The former Toronto boss discusses his experience with the Wolfpack and has his say on the fight for promotion to Super League, backing his former club in Leigh. Rowley also pays his respects to ex-player Ricky Bibey, who sadly passed away last week, aged 40. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former England and Great Britain prop forward Adrian Morley is the latest guest on the Love Rugby League podcast! The 45-year-old joins host George Riley on this week's show to discuss a range of rugby league topics. He discusses England's World Cup chances under boss Shaun Wane and praises forward Morgan Knowles as a forward who will lead the side for years to come. Morley also discusses disciplinary in the modern game and reflects on his NRL memories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Castleford Tigers captain Paul McShane is the latest guest on the Love Rugby League podcast! The England international joins host George Riley for this week's big interview. McShane, 32, discusses Castleford's play-off goals following their turn of form in the season. Lee Radford's side sit fifth in the Super League table, and have won three games on the bounce in Super League. Meanwhile, the hooker discusses the international scene with England, having made his debut against the Combined Nations All Stars last year. He also discusses former team-mates Jacques O'Neill's inclusion in this year's hit reality TV show Love Island. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Batley Bulldogs head coach Craig Lingard is the latest guest on the Love Rugby League podcast. The former player joins host George Riley for this week's big interview following his side's impressive 28-20 victory over promotion-chasing Featherstone Rovers in the Championship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Kear is the latest guest on the Love Rugby League podcast. The incoming Widnes boss is fresh from the trip to Albi as Wales returned to the international scene in more than three years against France. Meanwhile, host George Riley is joined by deputy editor Drew Darbyshire to discuss all the latest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Combined Nations All Stars assistant coach Andrew Henderson is this week’s guest on the Love Rugby League podcast. The Keighley Cougars head of rugby has linked up with the All Stars once again, this time under new boss Ellery Hanley ahead of their clash against England. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Combined Nations All Stars assistant coach Andrew Henderson is this week’s guest on the Love Rugby League podcast. The Keighley Cougars head of rugby has linked up with the All Stars once again, this time under new boss Ellery Hanley ahead of their clash against England. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices