5 live Rugby League

Following the nerve-jangling relegation shoot-out last week, the focus shifts to the excitement of the play-off series, as five clubs battle to make the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 12th. From the Theatre of Dreams itself Dave Woods talks to the coaches of all the teams involved, plus Salford’s Jackson Hastings and George Williams of Wigan, who go head-to-head this Friday knowing they’re only two wins from that Grand Final.

Dave Woods and Jon Wilkin are joined by the new Manchester Lions Chairman Andy Mazey to hear from London Broncos owner David Hughes and discuss Friday’s relegation dog-fight where any of the four bottom sides could suffer the drop. Plus are big city clubs the future for the game? The team decide if an obsession with tradition is holding back progress.

Bradford Bulls Head Coach John Kear and the owner and publisher of the League Weekly newspaper Danny Lockwood join Dave Woods to discuss what’s next for the Bulls after they said farewell to Odsal on Sunday, waving goodbye to both the city and an ageing stadium rich in wonderful memories. From next season, Bradford will be playing in Dewsbury. And are we getting a little bit over-excited about referees? After the controversies of the Challenge Cup Final is it time for those in the middle to be more accountable for their decisions?

St Helens great Paul Wellens and Jon Wilkin join Dave Woods to discuss the privilege of pressure within a top team and why flat pack furniture offers a key life-lesson.

Dave Woods is joined by Scott Taylor, England & Hull FC prop forward and John Kear, Wales and Bradford Bulls Head Coach to discuss Shaun Edwards, Wales rugby union defence coach who is due to take up the head coach's role at Wigan in 2020... or is he, and if so for how long? We hear from Edwards who says he definitely wants to coach in the Six Nations again. The interview is from the Today programme. Plus Scott’s team, Hull FC, became the first to win a Super League game via Golden Point on Sunday when they beat Wigan Warriors 23-22. And we hear from his teammate, Marc Sneyd, who kicked the winning drop goal in extra time.