One of the biggest international Rugby League tournaments to date is taking place across England this autumn, and for the first time in Rugby League World Cup history, all 61 games from the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments will be broadcast live on free-to-air UK television as the BBC delivers all of the action from every single game.
BBC Sport will ensure audiences across the country witness every try, tackle and memorable moment, kicking off with England against Samoa on BBC One on 15 October, through to the finals on November 19.
Mark Chapman, Tanya Arnold and JJ Chalmers will lead the presentation across BBC TV and BBC iPlayer.
Expert analysis and insight throughout the tournament will come from an international line up, which includes England’s most capped player James Graham, who brings a wealth of knowledge on the NRL and Super League; former Great Britain and England forwards Jamie Peacock, Jon Wilkin and Jamie Jones-Buchanan; former England Women internationals Danika Priim and Lois Forsell; former Wales player Jonathan Davies, former Ireland forward Kyle Amor, former New Zealand international Robbie Hunter-Paul, former England playmaker Kevin Brown, former Great Britain coach Brian Noble and many more!
Alongside the BBC’s lead rugby league commentator Dave Woods are Matt Newsum and Sharon Shortle, and joining them across the whole tournament is one of Australia’s most recognisable voices, Andrew Voss. Mark Wilson and Andy Stevenson complete the top-class commentary line up.
World Cup reporters across the tournament, bringing audiences all of the latest news and updates from participating teams include the experienced and well respected Jenna Brooks, Damian Johnson and Tanya Arnold.
Women Of Steel
This BBC Sport documentary follows a group of fiercely determined women who have given up everything for the sport they love. Women Of Steel goes behind the scenes with the England Women’s Rugby League squad in the build-up to the World Cup this October.
The women battling for a place in the squad are not paid professionals – they hold down full-time jobs alongside club rugby and their England commitments. Amy Hardcastle is a 33 year-old working mum, who’s overcome her own anxieties and now supports teenagers with their mental issues, whilst Chantelle Crowl is up at 5am every day, driving her HGV to deliver fridges before she heads to training.
The reality is though, that not every player will make it to the World Cup. The battle for selection is fierce, and Head Coach Craig Richards faces the complex task of selecting the best possible team for the competition. With just two England match fixtures ahead of the World Cup he has his work cut out to ensure England arrive at the tournament in the form of their lives.
For the first time in history, the Women’s event will be played alongside the men’s and wheelchair events. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, representing their country at a home World Cup.
Women Of Steel will TX on BBC iPlayer on Monday 24 October
Also coming in 2023, BBC Storyville brings unprecedented access behind the scenes of the England men’s Wheelchair Rugby League team. With the World Cup forming the heart of the film, Storyville will also tell the emotional, sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, personal backstories of players, families, and coaching staff. More details to be announced soon.
Clive Sullivan: Rugby League Legend
The Rugby League World Cup provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the greatest Welsh sportsman who most Welsh people have never heard of – Clive Sullivan.
Historically, in rugby league, there is no one bigger than Clive – so much so that for this tournament the official tournament ball has been christened ‘the Sully’ in his honour. Clive was the first black athlete to captain Great Britain at any sport, and the man who led the team to a 1972 World Cup final triumph over Australia. He still holds the record for most tries scored in British rugby league history (205) and the most scored in one game (seven).
This 30-minute documentary sees former footballer and Clive’s nephew Nathan Blake talk to family, friends and pundits to celebrate the man who did so much to help the next generation of black sportsmen and women. Nathan also delves into Clive’s life away from the rugby pitch and his influence outside of the game. He’ll tell us how a posting with the Army at 16 changed his life. As the lone Welshman in the company, he was automatically selected for a rugby game – a game he could not avoid playing, as to admit to his injuries would have seen him drummed out of the forces.
Clive Sullivan: Rugby League Legend will TX on BBC Wales and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday 12 October at 10.40pm.
