Good call that, he does come across really well.

Chris Evans used to cover rugby league for local radio in one of his first ever broadcasting jobs.

Don't think RL could afford him!

Reckon we will get decent coverage ont' BBC for the RLWC?

The OP asked for comment from outside the heartlands. I record the Sunday morning repeat, which is a godsend. Since we're starved of RL in London media it's like an oasis in a desert. Whatever else, please keep this repeat going. The match highlights are worth the programme alone, for someone who is otherwise dependent on the wholly inadequate Sky News highlights.

As for presenters and production it's obviously a low budget production so there's little chance of a slicker programme without a big increase in the budget, which I don't see happening. They do a good job given the limited means.

The one major improvement (pointed out above) that wouldn't cost any more is to be more selective with their interviewees.

You're correct in everything you say. I feel sorry for rl fans outside the m62 corridor, ive got mates in sunderland who like watching league in the summer but can only watch sky games.

The Super League Show on Sunday, 27 June 2010 will now air at 10.25pm on BBC1 (North; North West and North East Regions only).

The change is due to BBC1 now screening the England v Germany World Cup match in that original time slot.

Harry Gration and special guest bring fans all the very best action from Round 19 of the Engage Super League, including highlights from Friday night's big clash, as Huddersfield Giants face Hull KR.

Friday also sees Hull FC against Catalans Dragons and St Helens verses Salford.

Saturday's clash between Harlequins and Wigan will also feature.

Cheers for that. We should keep this thread going so people can see when it's on!

There's a lot of talk about the production of SLS and RL coverage on the BBC, but I actually really like what we get now. I much prefer it to Sky coverage nowadays, particularly with match coverage.

With Sky I sometimes feel like I'm getting motion sickness with all the rapidly cut, swopping shots and grotesque rubber-necking coverage of injuries where he have to see it from every angle possible at at every imaginable speed of slow motion. Then you have the bizarre sci-fi graphics of the imaginary hydraulic big screen superimposed above the mainstand. Not to mention the terrible commentators, with the exception of Barrie Mac.

With the BBC you have simple cuts between wide and close up shots during play and none of the swooping graphics threatening to collide with the glass surface of your TV screen. The commentators are also generally better; Dave Woods is terrific, Davis, when he gets into it, can be cracking and Clare Balding, for some baffling reason loves RL. Then you get the likes of Kear getting involved who far surpasses Sky regulars Cullen, Millward and McRae.

For me SLS has had some great articles of late now that it has stopped being simply about highlights. Robbie Paul interviewing Naylor about the pit falls for players when their career is over in particular sticks out in my mind. Granted, there does need to be a better variety of guest experts who deal with the studio better. Also, the credits do need sprucing up; more creative images, better song. And yes, Gration needs to go. I do like Jon Wilkin, but I give Dave Woods a go. However, if the lovely Tanya Arnold were to continue presenting full time I would be a very, VERY pleased man.

Cheap the BBC coverage may be, but all you really need for sport is two main camera angles and someone who can articulate the action and mood well. SLS does need improving in certain areas, but there's a good foundation there and is worth more than the ridiculous time slots it is given.

I agree on Dave Woods. I don't mind Claire Balding because she's enthusiastic about the game, like you said for some baffling reason. Maybe those two and John Kear could put a decent show together. Problem with Tanya Arnold is that her voice is deeper than any man i've ever spoken to.

Just want to say, i've only just watched the round 19 SL show and the piece on the George Hotel was fantastic. Fair play.

except for Harry Gration. I appreciate for people steeped in RL he might not fit the bill, but I can see him going down well with the uninitiated.

I'm not so sure, Harry kind of fits the stereotypical Rugby League fan, northerner with a flat cap and a cardigan. Dave Woods should be given the slot, Tanya Arnold doing pieces on History, out at clubs training grounds and community schemes etc with John Kear as the expert.

Tanya Arnold?

Is that the woman who sounds like Barry White with a bad head cold??

That's her!

Apart from the voice I find her strangely attractive


Having said that I'm not the fussiest bloke in West London

Me too, she sounds like a coal miner and looks like a school teacher.

Having said that i'm not the fussiest bloke in Leigh

I would hate to wake up with her in a dark room after a heavy night on the VB

Imagine hearing that voice saying 'You were a top root Bazza.. want a cuppa?'


She sounds like a British version of Mark O'Meley

You'd think you'd woke up in a cell!

I really enjoyed watching the super league show last night since half of it was missing and some crap tv show on instead is it me or are the BBC totally incompetent

Its not you mate. Would it have been half missing if it were union or tennis?

How dare you talk about the lovely Tanya in such a way, you savages!

Cheers for the tip off Jonny, haven't watch SLS yet. I study in Hudds, so I walk past it every day in term time and have a good smile at the place.

It's really good actually, me and my brother took his lad when GB played the Kiwis at the McAlpine (when Deacon got smashed) and it was impressive. From what people say it's better now than it was then. I don't know if they do school trips etc in the area, they should!

They most certainly should.

I remember all those years ago when I was a kid my grandma took me to Ravensknowle (probs spelt that wrong) museum in Huddersfield to see a history of RL exhibit. It had memorabilia from the George and had all the original prints from the book When Push Comes to Shove. That was awesome!

I know schools near me go to the football museum in Preston, so i'm hoping that the Huddersfield and schools in that area MAKE their kids learn about RL history. It's not exactly a million miles from Lancashire either.