Rugby League Top 10 – Details, episodes & analysis

These are the guys who used to play on 'the edge'. In the days when almost everything was considered 'legal', some were employed as enforcers, whilst others never ever took a backward step. Many were just simply fearless, but you'd definitely try and avoid running towards all of them. They are rugby league's hard men. Rugby league was a little bit different in the 1990s. A mainly part-time sport where the attributes of some players could have easily secured themselves alternative employment as bouncers! Such as the charging rhino himself, Barrie McDermott, who used a not so subtle trick to further intimidate his opponents. Or Kelvin Skerrett, who won six Championships and four Challenge Cups with Wigan. The Wales and Great Britain international is the man described as a "dirty get" on Mick Morgan's famous viral commentary. Castleford legend Mal Reilly was just as tough as a coach as he was as a player. When he moved to Manly he used to ask his team-mates who the toughest players on the opposition were so he could target them to gain respect. Later, he coached at Newcastle Knights, where he found out which of his players had the best records on the rowing machine before smashing them all with his own stamina and fitness. He's even got a an intense training drill named after him... the Malcolm! And then there's the likes of Adrian Morley. Known as 'The Enforcer' in Australia, 'Moz' kept his own little black book to keep tabs on opponents who were due a little retribution. He once received a seven-match ban for kneeing an opponent in the chest. However, the ban was expected to be more than double that before a character reference from long-time foe 'Big' Willie Mason described him as "one of the toughest players in the toughest competition in the world" helped his case. There's a fine line between legal and illegal violence in rugby league and often some of these fellas crossed it. Nowadays it would lead to an instant red card, but that doesn't mean hard men don't exist in the sport today. They just go about showing it slightly differently!

Tanya Arnold, Kevin Brown, Andrew Henderson and John Kear reflect on a gripping Grand Final after Wigan defeated Hull KR 9-2. Victory meant the Warriors completed an incredible quadruple in 2024 and their CEO and former player, Kris Radlinski, joins the team to give an insight in to the preparations, celebrations and what now lies ahead for the most successful side of the Super League era.

Warrington’s Lachlan Fitzgibbon joins Tanya Arnold and Kevin Brown to talk about his first year in Super League. The second row forward joined the Wolves from Newcastle in Australia for the start of the 2024 campaign and is widely considered to be one of the best signings of the season. He reveals how playing in the northern hemisphere has been a long-term goal, and how recent successes for the Super League clubs in the World Club Challenge underlines the quality of the British game. He describes the lessons Warrington have learnt from their defeat in the Challenge Cup Final and their goals for the rest of the season. He talks about exploring Europe, rugby league in Las Vegas, watching the Euros, and as an Australian living in the UK what does he think of the British summer?

Dave Woods, Brian Noble and Ian Millward review England's victory over France which set up a quarter-final against Papua New Guinea; the Scotland coach Steve McCormack reflects on his sides' heroic 14-14 final game draw with Samoa; Australian journalist Steve Mascord looks back at Tonga's incredible win over New Zealand in the "Game of the Ages" and the Tonga assistant coach David Furner reveals the mood from inside the Tonga camp; plus French commentator Rodolphe Pires talks about the future for French rugby league after their disappointing World cup exit.

Dave Woods and Brian Noble are in Perth ahead of England's match against France and hear from Kevin Brown and Scott Taylor following their call ups; coach Wayne Bennett reveals what he expects from his side; France and St Helens captain Theo Fages says his side's confidence is high and that sending home Eloi Pellisier has not affected morale; and Wales coach John Kear reflects on the disappointment of the Welsh World Cup and how the northern hemisphere risks being left behind by the southern hemisphere.

Dave Woods and Brian Noble assess the second weekend of the Rugby League World Cup and talk to England's Sam Burgess about his injury situation and his brother Tom's try; the Papua New Guinea coach Michael Marum discusses the potential of playing England in the quarter-finals and the Scotland Chairman Keith Hogg gives his first broadcast interview after three Scottish players were sent home for being too drunk to board a flight.

Dave Woods and Brian Noble look ahead to this weekend’s World Cup fixtures and hear the thoughts of England coach Wayne Bennett on his sides performance against Australia; the recently retired Hull and GB international Gareth Ellis talks about playing alongside the Lebanon captain Robbie Farah; the Chairman of the Rugby League European Federation Danny Kazandjian reveals the origins of Lebanese Rugby League and the St Helens and Welsh International Morgan Knowles tells Huw Morgan what it’s like playing in Papua New Guinea.

Dave Woods and Brian Noble reflect on the opening round of matches in the Rugby League World Cup and hear from England's Tom Burgess on training in the heat; the Ireland captain Liam Finn dissects his side's victory over Italy; the Welsh coach John Kear delivers his verdict on their defeat to Papua New Guinnea; Australian coach Ian Millward gives his thoughts from inside the host's camp and Channel 7's Liam Cox reports on what Australia has made of the World Cup so far.

Dave Woods and Brian Noble discuss the upcoming Rugby League World Cup. Hear from Kevin Brown, who is predicting a glittering World Cup for Ben Currie, St Helens hooker James Roby talks about his return to international action after a two-year absence, Steve McCormack explains why Scotland are not overawed by their opponents in Group B - plus Wales coach John Kear looks forward to an adventure in Papua New Guinea and reveals his dreams of playing England in the quarter finals.

Dave Woods delves into the history of the Rugby League World Cup with Andrew Marmont; journalist and author of ‘Their Finest Hour: A History of the Rugby League World Cup in 10 Matches’. Plus new Warrington coach Steve Price outlines his aims and objects for the club.