Episode 113: Des Foy and X-League

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Episode 113: Des Foy and X-League

FromBy the Balls

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Length:

61 minutes

Released:

Jan 13, 2021

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Former Great Britain international Des Foy joins the podcast to talk about X-League, its origins and the future and growth of this new sport. Des also chats about his background, his career playing for Widnes and Oldham, coming up against the Kangaroos in the 1980s, and the current state of rugby league in Ireland.

Released:

Jan 13, 2021

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

UK-based journalists John Davidson and Ross Heppenstall discuss the latest sports topics of the day and endeavour to give you the story behind the stories. Lots of opinion, insight and detail on the world of rugby league, rugby union, football and more.

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Episode 1: Kicking things off with Kiev and Blackpool: The maiden episode of By the Balls, where sports journalists John Davidson and Ross Heppenstall talk about the Champions League final and the 'success' and future of rugby league's Summer Bash. by By the Balls
15 min listen
Episode 5: Russian roulette, Discussing Denver and time for Bielsa: Ross and Gary are joined by Forty-20 magazine editor Phil Caplan to talk about the Denver Test, Leeds United's new manager Marcelo Bielsa, England's performances at the 2018 World Cup and sporting contests coming up in summer. by By the Balls
33 min listen
Episode 27: Karl Fitzpatrick and the Wire: John goes one on one with Warrington Wolves CEO Karl Fitzpatrick to discuss the state of Super League, Warrington's 2018 campaign, plans for 2019, the Robert Elston era and more. by By the Balls
44 min listen
Episode 15: Middle Eights machinations, Reds rising and brilliant Blades: John and Ross talk about the Super 8s, discuss troubles at Leeds Rhinos, Widnes Vikings and Hull FC, and debate where St Helens sit. They also muse about potential changes to Super League's structure, the death of the Denver Test, look at the start of... by By the Balls
44 min listen
Episode 22: England vs NZ Test series preview: The team preview the England vs New Zealand Rugby League three Test series from the launch at Elland Road. They interview Kodi Nikorima, Elliot Whitehead, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Jesse Bromwich ahead of the first Test in Hull. by By the Balls
34 min listen
Episode 8: RFL’s move hits the rim, France victorious, Joshua punches on and Bolting to the A-League: Ross and John debate the merits of Ralph Rimmer’s controversial appointment to the CEO role of the RFL, the planning for the 2021 World Cup, France beating Croatia in the FIFA World Cup final, Ryan Hall's exit at Leeds and James Maloney heading to... by By the Balls
43 min listen
Episode 1.5: A bit more of the first show with the Toronto v Leigh rivalry, Waney and Fast Eddie: John and Ross continue their first episode chat on the Summer Bash and the growing Toronto v Leigh rivalry, but also talk about Shaun Wane's departure, a changing of the guard at Wigan, and whether Eddie Jones is now under pressure with England after... by By the Balls
14 min listen
Episode 10: St Helens boss Mike Rush unplugged: Ross, John and Gary Carter chat with special guess St Helens CEO Mike Rush. The trio talk about Mike's near two decades with the club, his initiatives to increase awareness of autism and raise money for autism charities, as well as the Challenge Cup... by By the Balls
44 min listen
Episode 2: Rectums, Barton, Integrity Units and club vs country battles: John, Ross and special guest Gary Carter dissect the Tomkins brothers' viral video, the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, the rise of Warrington, transition at Leeds Rhinos, Widnes' appointment of Francis Cummins and whether Super League needs an... by By the Balls
43 min listen
Episode 3: 2018 World Cup Special: John, Ross and Gary break down the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, look at the England and Australian teams, the merits of Gareth Southgate, and pick their favourites and teams to impress in the tournament. by By the Balls
24 min listen
Episode 13: Sitting down with Sam Moa: Ross goes one on one with Catalans enforcer Sam Moa to talk about the 2018 Challenge Cup final, his time in France, the impact of coach Steve McNamara at the Dragons and his life in rugby league. by By the Balls
14 min listen
Episode 19: Super League Dream Team and semi-final showdown: We went to Old Trafford for the launch of Super League's 2018 Dream Team and the semi-finals. We caught up with owner Michael Carter and winger Tom Johnstone from Wakefield, St Helens trio Ben Barba, Danny Richardson and Luke Thompson, Castleford... by By the Balls
34 min listen
Episode 11: Damian Irvine Interview: John and Ross sit down with former Cronulla Sharks chairman Damian Irvine. Damian has worked for Notts County and Wycombe Wanderers, and is now running commerical for Bradford Bulls. He talks about his life in sports administration, his time with... by By the Balls
45 min listen
Episode 12: Live from Perpignan: In a French special, Ross is joined by Gary Carter from The Sun, Gareth Walker from The Daily Express, Bruno Onteniente from L'Independant and Steve Brady from Catalan Media to preview the 2018 Challenge Cup final between Catalans Dragons and... by By the Balls
35 min listen
Episode 9: Klopp’s spending spree, Centurions in crisis, can Huddersfield Town avoid the drop again?: Ross and John debate Liverpool's audacious off-season spending spree, Mesut Ozil's stunning internaitonal retirement and Huddersfield Town's hopes for the new season, as well as the implosion at the Leigh Centurions, the upcoming Middle Eights and the... by By the Balls
43 min listen
Episode 7: Football’s really not coming home, Classy Croatia and Gareth's waistcoast wonders: John and Ross discuss England's semi-final loss to Croatia, the progress made by Gareth Southgate's team, the moments and memorable games that have made the tournament in Russia, and preview the 2018 World Cup final. by By the Balls
33 min listen
Episode 17: Kenny Dougall Interview: John goes one on one with Barnsley midfielder Kenny Dougall in a special episode. They go through his footballing journey from the A-League to Holland and now League One in England, his experiences in the Eredivisie, his first taste of Socceroo camp,... by By the Balls
15 min listen
Episode 18: Sitting down with Jackson Hastings: Ross and John go through the life and career of Jackson Hastings, touching on his current spell with Salford, his future, his upbringing in Wollongong, his journey in the NRL, his thoughts on Super League and more. by By the Balls
44 min listen
Episode 20: Grand Final Special: John and Ross were at Old Trafford for the 2018 Super League grand final press conference. They spoke to Wigan stars Dom Manfredi, Sam Tomkins and Joe Greenwood, and Warrington's Steve Price, Jack Hughes and Daryl Clark, in this special episode by By the Balls
36 min listen
Episode 21: Mourinho madness, Boro top, union's contact challenge: Ross and John tackle the latest in Premier League and Championship football, from Jose Mourinho's sideline run-in to impressive Arsenal, Newcastle's wobbles, Middlesbrough top and Ipswich in trouble. They also look at the ups and downs at Sale, a... by By the Balls
45 min listen
Episode 4: Denver, Diving, King Kane and African destruction: Ross and Gary are joined by a special guest, writer and author Gavin Willacy, to talk about the contervsial England vs New Zealand Test in Denver, the first week of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, American rugby league, the revival of the Springboks and... by By the Balls
46 min listen
Episode 6: Rhinos derailed, the return of Sir Kev, Origin Blues, Pivac's Wales and Wimbledon: John and Ross chat about the stunning sacking of Brian McDermott and the appointment of Kevin Sinfield as Leeds Rhinos, new arrivals in Super League, the rise of NSW in State of Origin, Welsh rugby union's new national coach and the final stages of... by By the Balls
36 min listen
Episode 28: Headingley, Heroes and Hearns: John and Ross talk with Forty20 magazine editory Phil Caplan at Headingley Stadium about Leeds Rhinos, the Dave Furner era, the state of Super League, the prospect of a Eddie and Barry Hearn takeover and the appointment of Tony Adams by the RFL. by By the Balls
45 min listen
Episode 16: Ryan Hinchcliffe Uncovered: John and Ross delve into the life and career of Ryan Hinchcliffe, touch on his time in both the NRL and Super League, why he is retiring now, what his future holds and what it was like playing alongside of the best rugby league players of all time. by By the Balls
45 min listen
Episode 26: Mick Hogan Interview: Ross catches up with Mick Hogan, the commercial director of Newcastle Falcons and chairman of Newcastle Thunder, to talk rugby union, rugby league, the moving of Magic Weekend, bidding for 2021 World Cup games and the battle for rugby eyeballs and... by By the Balls
42 min listen
Episode 23: England emergence, All Blacks arrive and more: John and Ross analyse the first two tests of the series between England and New Zealand, look at the impact of Wayne Bennett and the emergence of England as a real force. They also touch on the meeting between the All Blacks and England this weekend... by By the Balls
43 min listen
Episode 36: James Clare talking turkey: Ross catches up with Castleford Tigers winger James Clare and talks about his affiliation with his hometown club, his ups and downs at Bradford Bulls and Leigh Centurions, his plans for life after Super League and his burning desire to lift a major... by By the Balls
44 min listen
Episode 24: Brian Carney pulling no punches: John and Ross chew the fat with former Super League and NRL winger Brian Carney. Now the face of Sky Sports' Super League coverage, Carney give his frank assessment on the state of rugby league in England, what needs to change, media strategy, public... by By the Balls
45 min listen
Episode 42: Garry Schofield, The Legend, Part II: In the second part of our special with Garry Schofield the 53-year-old opens up about his feuds with Maurice Lindsay and Doug Lawton, his relationship with Ellery Hanley, how he left Leeds for Huddersfield, retirement and the impact of the death of... by By the Balls
42 min listen
Episode 31: Championship and League 1 Rugby League special by By the Balls
38 min listen

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Episode 113: Des Foy and X-League

Episode 113: Des Foy and X-League

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from By the Balls

Related podcast episodes