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The Bench with Jenna and Jon

Sky Sports
Rugby League
Wigan Warriors
Super League
World Club Challenge
Mental Health
Betfred Super League
NRL
Warrington Wolves
Rugby League Cares
Grand Final
Leeds Rhinos
Alex Walmsley
OCD
Catalans Dragons
Hull KR
St Helens
Team Culture
Challenge Cup
Huddersfield Giants
St. Helens

Join Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin to get to know the players, officials and all the big names from around the Betfred Super League and beyond. Episodes are released every Monday. - •You can watch the rugby league action live on Sky Sports. If you're not already a Sky customer, you can stream Sky Sports on your terms with a NOW membership. Sign up to NOW here: www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-spor... more

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Artwork for The Bench

Latest Episodes

One of rugby league's most influential executives, Gary Hetherington is this week's guest on The Bench with Jenna and Jon.

Gary looks back to the birth of Super League in 1996 and the challenges of that period. He also tells us about his work at Lee... more

YouTube

Castleford Tigers director of rugby Chris Chester is this week's guest on The Bench with Jenna and Jon.

Chris speaks about being a player, a head coach and a director of rugby in Super League as the competition turns 30 years old.

He also tells Jen... more

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck speaks to Jenna and Sam Tomkins on this bonus episode of The Bench.

In his first interview since announcing his stunning move to Wakefield Trinity from the NRL, he tells Jenna and Sam why now was the right time to move to Super L... more

Leigh Leopards forward Joe Ofahengaue is this week's guest on the Bench with Jenna and Jon.

Joe talks about his upbringing in New Zealand and his subsequent moves to NRL and Super League.

Plus he tells Jenna and Jon why he feels it's important for ... more

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Recent Guests

Chris Chester
Former rugby league player, coach, and director of rugby
Former clubs including Wigan Warriors, Halifax, Hull KR, Wakefield Trinity; director of rugby at Castleford Tigers
Episode: Chris Chester: Happy 30th Super League! Leaving Leigh & the job at Cas
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Wakefield Trinity's new signing, former NRL star
Wakefield Trinity
Episode: Bonus episode! Roger Tuivasa-Sheck signs for Wakefield Trinity!
Joe Ofahengaue
Professional rugby league player, Leigh Leopards
Leigh Leopards
Episode: Joe Ofahengaue: Mentoring, moving across the world & "love to work"!
Matt Ellis
Owner of Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity
Episode: Matt Ellis: Positivity, club ownership & kitchens!
Paul Deacon
Bradford and Wigan rugby league legend, former head coach and current assistant coach at Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Episode: Paul Deacon: Switching codes, re-learning the game & scrum-caps
Stuart Fielden
A former professional rugby player and Bradford legend
Episode: Brian Noble & Stuart Fielden: Bulls are back, swords and confrontations
Brian Noble
Former coach and rugby commentator
Episode: Brian Noble & Stuart Fielden: Bulls are back, swords and confrontations
Dom Young
A prominent Rugby League player, featured in an interview discussing his career and upcoming games.
Newcastle Knights
Episode: Lost in Las Vegas - Day 3 - The players take to the stage!
Peter V'Landys
Chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission
ARLC
Episode: Lost in Las Vegas - Day 2 - CartZilla! Plus, V'Landys on NRL-Super League links

Hosts

Jenna Brooks
Co-host known for engaging, insightful interviews with players and officials.
Jon Wilkin
Co-host with a strong perspective on rugby league strategy and player development.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 155 ratings
  • Why No Ashes?

    I have listened to a few of these shows and it’s decent for Super League coverage. But why has there been no previews or reaction to any of the Ashes tests? Sky Sports News completely ignored it and it seems that Sky Sports’ flagship RL podcast ignores it too. A very strange editorial decision from Sky Sports to give the international game no coverage whatsoever.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Pedro Ell
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Great show – excellent hosts & guests

    Love this podcast – it provides a unique insight into the key issues of the game. Really well done for getting the Saints chairman on– I learned a lot about the financial position facing the league. Saints fans (of whom I am one) owe Eamonn huge amount of gratitude for making the new stadium happen and keeping the club afloat and competitive.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sintellin
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Essential listening

    Love the show and glad of high tempo to start the year. Keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    slickest123
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Cut out the bleep/swearing!

    Fantastic podcast however please cut out the horrible bleep over the swearing it’s horrid!! Or at least use a sound not so deafening when you have earphones in!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Ajje1989
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Brilliant !!!

    well done Sky Sports The Bench with Jenna and Jon is totally entertaining ! Big in Australia as well

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Family of League
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Occasional feedback about editing or pacing from some listeners.
Consistent format with well-informed discussion and banter.
High-quality guests and strong insider perspectives that appeal to serious rugby league fans.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Gary Hetherington: Birth of Super League, re-branding Leeds & Broncos plans
Q: What is the long-term plan for London Broncos?
The plan focuses on building a sustainable club both on and off the field, developing facilities, engaging the community, and aiming for Super League inclusion, with a longer horizon for geographic expansion and national cross-pollination of talent and fans.
Gary Hetherington: Birth of Super League, re-branding Leeds & Broncos plans
Q: How did the Leeds Rhinos brand come to life and why was it necessary?
The brand emerged from a need to modernize and engage the media and fans, creating a marketed identity and mascot that would help Leeds stand out as a city-wide sporting hub; despite initial resistance, the Rhinos name helped unify supporters and staff.
Gary Hetherington: Birth of Super League, re-branding Leeds & Broncos plans
Q: What was the trauma of the transformation to Super League?
Hetherington explains that the trauma came from large new financial stakes, moving to full-time operation, and realigning clubs (including mergers) to form a 12-team league, which created contentious debates but ultimately accelerated modernization.
Bonus episode! Roger Tuivasa-Sheck signs for Wakefield Trinity!
Q: What are you looking forward to most about the move and the new environment?
Everything new and the chance to take my kids around the world, exposing them to different cultures and values, while contributing to Wakefield's growth and learning from the English game and its passionate crowds.
Bonus episode! Roger Tuivasa-Sheck signs for Wakefield Trinity!
Q: Why did you choose to move to Super League and Wakefield Trinity specifically?
I had a few offers in the NRL and Rugby League avenues, but once I mentally committed to going to Super League, and Wakefield presented a real opportunity that aligned with what I wanted for my career and family, it felt right and timely.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Bench

What is The Bench about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and rugby league insiders, often weaving in season previews, club transitions, and behind-the-scenes stories from the Super League and beyond. Episodes mix tactical insights, personal journeys, and club developments, frequently featuring high-profile guests and a mix of opinionated banter with a loyal audience. Noteworthy angles include cross-code comparisons, international growth discussions, and episodes filmed on tour locations that underscore the sport's global reach. Potential listeners will likely converge around rugby league fans who enjoy insider perspectives, candid career retrospectives, and updates on teams, leagues, and major events.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Bench?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Bench. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Bench and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Bench get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Bench?

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How many subscribers and views does The Bench have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Bench has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Bench?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Bench:

1. All Out Rugby League: Back Ten
2. League Express Podcast
3. Forty20 Rugby League Podcasts
4. The Bye Round With James Graham
5. The Super League Raw Podcast

How many episodes of The Bench are there?

The Bench launched 10 years ago and published 191 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Bench?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Bench?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Bench from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Bench?

Recent guests on The Bench include:

1. Chris Chester
2. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
3. Joe Ofahengaue
4. Matt Ellis
5. Paul Deacon
6. Stuart Fielden
7. Brian Noble
8. Dom Young

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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