In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan break down all the action from the opening week of the Rugby League World Cup.

The pair react to England’s disappointing defeat to Tonga, analysing what went wrong and where Brian McDermott’s side fell short. They also question whether the structure of the tournament has already left England with a mountain to climb and what they now need to do to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Martyn and Jake also discuss Brian McDermott’s decision to make no changes to his line-up for this weekend and whether sticking with the same side is the right response following the opening-round defeat.

They then turn their attention to the blockbuster clash between Australia and New Zealand, as well as Samoa’s huge victory over France. With Kalyn Ponga suffering an injury, they assess what his absence could mean for the Kiwis and their chances of going all the way in the tournament.

Away from the World Cup, Martyn and Jake provide the latest on the ongoing NRL–RFL negotiations and discuss what the talks could mean for the future relationship between the NRL and the British game.

Finally, they look ahead to Week Two of the Rugby League World Cup, previewing the key matches and what is at stake as the tournament begins to take shape.

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan are joined by legendary Rugby League commentator Andrew Voss to preview the opening fixtures of this year’s Rugby League World Cup.

Vossy joins Martyn and Jake to break down the team lists and assess the major contenders ahead of the opening round, including the blockbuster clash between Australia and New Zealand, England taking on Tonga and Samoa facing France.

Who has named the strongest squad? Which players should fans be watching? And which nations have what it takes to go all the way?

Away from the World Cup, Vossy reveals the Rugby League rules he would change and tells the fascinating story of the role he played in helping bring about a change to the corner-post rule.

The trio also discuss the ongoing relationship between the NRL and Super League, with Vossy giving his thoughts on what a potential deal between the two competitions should look like and how it could benefit Rugby League on both sides of the world.

And with NRL expansion continuing to generate debate, Vossy reveals where he believes the 20th NRL club should be based.

In this week’s episode of the League Express Podcast, Editor Martyn Sadler and Host Jake Kearnan look back on a huge weekend of Rugby League as Wakefield Trinity were crowned Super League champions and the Sydney Roosters won the NRL Grand Final.

They begin with Wakefield’s historic Grand Final victory over Warrington Wolves, discussing what the result means for the club and the significance of a packed crowd for the Super League Grand Final. They also discuss Tom Johnstone’s heroics, as the Wakefield winger claimed the Rob Burrow Award after a memorable performance on the biggest stage.

The pair then turn their attention to the NRL Grand Final, analysing the Roosters’ victory over the Newcastle Knights and what the result means for the Australian game.

With the domestic seasons now complete, attention quickly turns to a potential World Club Challenge. Martyn and Jake discuss whether the champions could meet, where the match could be staged and what a renewed World Club Challenge could mean for the sport.

They also react to the announcement of England’s World Cup squad, including the decision to leave Jake Connor out of the squad, before taking a closer look at the Australian Kangaroos and New Zealand Kiwis squads ahead of the international tournament.