5 Live Rugby League BBC Radio 5 Live

Tanya Arnold and Kevin Brown are joined by former Hull FC Captain Gareth Ellis and former Scotland Head Coach Steve McCormack to discuss their current roles with Rugby League Cares, an organisation which provides off-field support and advice for players, coaches and officials within the sport. They talk about how the approach to player-welfare has developed over the last decade, and what they learnt on a recent fact-finding trip to Australia. There are also reflections on the Challenge Cup Quarter-finals as four men’s and four women’s teams moved a step closer to the Wembley finals. Kevin also gives his thoughts on an eventful few days at Hull FC, who have parted company with Head Coach Tony Smith and appointed former Leeds Half-back Richie Myler as their new Director of Rugby.

Ahead of the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup, Hull Kingston Rovers head coach Willie Peters joins Tanya Arnold and Kevin Brown to relate his rugby league journey from Sydney to Humberside via Gateshead and Wigan. He talks about the culture he’s trying to create in East Hull, the progress being made on and off the field, the growth of players like Mikey Lewis and why his year playing at the Warriors alongside the likes of Andy Farrell was the best of his career.

Tanya Arnold talks to Ryan Brierley, the Salford Red Devils Full Back who played in his 300th professional game over Easter. He talks about the highs and lows of a career which has seen him represent Leigh, Huddersfield, Toronto, Hull KR, Salford and Scotland. Ryan reveals the importance of the relationships he has built up during his time in the game, how he suffered from imposter syndrome for a long time in his career, and a difficult end to his time in Toronto. He also discusses his involvement in the drive to ensure players are better represented in the governance of Rugby League and his role as an agent in women’s football.

Tanya Arnold and Kevin Brown are joined from Australia by the Brisbane Broncos Assistant Coach Lee Briers to talk about life in the NRL. The former Warrington and Wales Half-back has been coaching on the other side of world for the last 18 months and helped steer the Broncos to the Grand Final there in 2023. He describes what it’s like to be working with some of the best players in the world, reveals his coaching philosophies and talks about his ambitions to be a Head Coach either in Australia, or back home in Super League. There are also reflections on the Broncos visit to Las Vegas for the opening round of NRL fixtures, and he talks about his time working with Shaun Wane and the England team.

Super League’s leading try-scorer Ash Handley joins Tanya Arnold and Kevin Brown to talk about his flying start to the 2024 campaign and the secrets to his success so far this season.

The Leeds Rhinos winger has scored seven tries in the opening five rounds of the competition and reveals how he was inspired by Basketball legend Michael Jordan to visualize key moments in games and develop new off-field habits to help improve his performance.

He talks about his hopes for the rest of the season, and the impact made by Leeds’ new signings this year.

Tanya Arnold and Kevin Brown are joined by Catalans Dragons half-back Jordan Abdull to discuss life as a Rugby League player in the South of France and how he is adapting to his new surroundings. Considered to be one of the finest play-makers in the competition, Abdull was surprisingly allowed to leave Hull KR during the winter and is spending the 2024 season on loan with the Dragons. They also discuss the latest Super League stories and what happened in Vegas on the opening night of the Australian NRL season.