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The Bench with Jenna and Jon

The Bench with Jenna and Jon

By Sky Sports

Catch up on the latest news and hear the best interviews from around the Betfred Super League and beyond with Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin.

Episodes

George Williams | Being a dad, playing in the NRL and what next for Warrington?

Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin are joined by Warrington Wolves' George Williams as he discusses what it's like to be a dad, his time in the NRL with Canberra and how it came to an end, and what to expect from Warrington moving forward.
20/09/23·28m 46s

Konrad Hurrell | Food guilty pleasures, Tongan families and... shaking it!

Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin are joined by St Helens centre, Konrad Hurrell to discuss everything from his family life at home in Tonga to his food guilty pleasures. Plus there's a pretty epic edition of 'On the Bench, Off the Bench' that cannot be missed!
12/09/23·30m 17s

Dan Sarginson | Being known as 'the rugby player', the benefits of meditation and annoying phrases!

This week Jenna and Jon are joined by Dan Sarginson who makes his second appearance on the podcast! The trio catch up with Dan on how retirement is going, discuss the benefits of yoga and meditation and why it's not always good to be known as 'the rugby player'. Jenna also reveals how her number one broadcasting rule was put to the test by Wigan's Liam Byrne.
06/09/23·31m 42s

Rob Hicks | How hard is the role of a referee, should they be mic'd up and creative crowd chants

This week Jenna and Jon are joined by Director of Operations and Legal for the Rugby Football League, Rob Hicks. The trio look over the role of a referee and reflect on Rob's officiating experiences. Would the game be more interesting if referees were mic'd up? And what kind of conversations go on amongst officials and players?
29/08/23·31m 35s

Andrew Voss | Vossy's music career, scented candles and alternative names for rugby league!

This week Jenna and Jon are joined by the legendary Australian commentator Andrew Voss. They discuss his brief stint in a band, his second career in the scented candle business and alternative names for rugby league! Plus Jon has his say on the quality of fans' chants and the panel debate the best way to eat a pie!
21/08/23·44m 45s

Derek Beaumont | Leopard print branding, pre-match entertainment and Wembley dreams

This week on The Bench, Jon and Jenna are joined by Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont. The trio discuss a variety of topics including Derek's forward approach with leopard print branding and pre-match entertainment, as well as his hopes for Leigh this season ahead of the Challenge Cup final.
08/08/23·29m 41s

Sam Tomkins I Leaving a legacy, lie detectors in post-match interviews & that famous beard!

This week Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin are joined by Catalans Dragons' Sam Tomkins. They discuss his imminent retirement, the legacy he'll leave behind, and his life in France. Plus Jon quizzes Sam on his famous beard and there are some creative suggestions to freshen up the sport - including lie detectors and trips to space!
19/07/23·27m 33s

Ben Westwood | Picking fights, awkward texts and photo opportunities

Ben Westwood joins Jon and the returning Barrie McDermott on The Bench this week to discuss life after retirement, picking fights with the opposition, awkward text messages you wish you'd never sent and selfies with fans.
10/07/23·30m 46s

Adrian Morley | Red card regrets, players faking injuries and half-time queues

This week Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin are joined by Adrian Morley - the only British player to win both NRL and Super League Grand Finals. They discuss his reputation for tough tackling, the risks involved in the game and players faking injuries. Plus Jenna has her say on drinks queues at stadiums and Jon has some unique ideas to spice up the game!
03/07/23·29m 28s

Scott Taylor | The art of a good tackle, life after the game and respecting referees

With no Jon this week, Jenna is joined by Barrie McDermott and Hull FC's Scott Taylor. The trio discuss the art of making a good tackle and name the players they find hardest to tackle. Scott also gives an update on his fitness, as well as looking at what life holds for him after the game.
26/06/23·29m 44s

Paul Sculthorpe | Richard Branson's house, salary caps and that Terry Newton fight

Jenna and Jon were joined this week by the only player to win consecutive Man of Steel awards (and Jon's aunt's heart) Paul Sculthorpe...We discuss the time he went round Richard Branson's house to discuss terms, the infamous Saints-Wigan Good Friday fight back in 2004 and whether salary caps are a good thing for the game.
14/06/23·29m 38s

Barrie McDermott | Social media, and is it time for a UK Origin series?

Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin are joined by Barrie McDermott at Magic Weekend in Newcastle for the latest episode of The Bench. We discuss dealing with social media criticism and whether a UK version of the State of Origin could work. Is a Lancashire vs Yorkshire series viable?
09/06/23·20m 27s

Courtney Winfield-Hill | Being an Aussie playing for England, adjusting to Yorkshire life and growing the women's game

Jon Wilkin is joined by Courtney Winfield-Hill this week to find out what it's like being an Australian who ends up representing England and to discover how she has adjusted to life in Yorkshire. Plus, Courtney gives her opinions on how the Women's Super League can grow and try to compete with the NRLW.
30/05/23·36m 25s

Stevie Ward | Pain thresholds, ice baths and animals on the pitch

With Jenna still away, Barrie McDermott joins Jon to chat with special guest Stevie Ward about the mentality of a top level rugby league player and how dealing with pain becomes part of the game. Marathon beers are also on the agenda and the boys answer the age old question, which animal would be the worst to enter a rugby league pitch?
22/05/23·32m 48s

Dan Sarginson | The importance of mental health, retirement and epiphanies

On Mental Health Awareness Week, Dan Sarginson joins Jenna and Jon to discuss his career and decision to retire. The trio take a closer look into the importance and understanding of mental health issues within the game, and how people may be suffering in silence.
15/05/23·1h 4m

Gareth Ellis | 4G pitches, shoulder pads and 'head noise'

Gareth Ellis joins Jon and Jamie Jones-Buchanan (while Jenna's away) to discuss 4G pitches, shoulder pads, tight kits, longevity in sport and what it takes to be an elite player.
09/05/23·30m 9s

Mitchell Pearce | Dealing with pressure, grumpy groundsmen and Vegas dreams

Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin are joined by Mitchell Pearce on the latest episode of The Bench. The Catalans Dragons stand-off talks about the differences between playing in Super League to NRL and how he deals with pressure and criticism. Plus, Jon reveals his true feelings towards groundsmen and Jenna's hoping for a trip to Las Vegas!
25/04/23·40m 23s

Jodie Cunningham | Cats vs dogs, the art of leadership & rugby league superheroes

This week Jon Wilkin is joined by England captain Jodie Cunningham and Sky Sports' Barrie McDermott. They debate whether cats or dogs make better pets, what it takes to be a great leader, and which superheroes would make the best rugby league players. They also discuss players' celebrations and ask whether there needs to be more emotion within the game.
18/04/23·28m 34s

Luke Gale | Hair transplants, the salary cap and a message for Eddie Jones

Jon Wells steps in for Jon Wilkin on The Bench this week. Jenna Brooks is also joined by Keighley Cougars' Luke Gale as they talk hair transplants, rediscovering a love for the game, the salary cap and rugby league players switching codes.
10/04/23·29m 56s

Shaun Kenny-Dowall | Life and future at Hull KR, Tim Tams vs Penguins, and the chip and chase

Shaun Kenny-Dowall joins Jenna and Jon on The Bench this week to discuss his life and future at Hull KR, why a Tim Tam beats a Penguin, and how much he loves a chip and chase.
03/04/23·30m 3s

Kevin Brown | Stadium names, warmups and pranks

Kevin Brown joins Jenna and Jon this week to run through his career highlights, whether stadiums should have names, what it's like to play for your country and the best prank he's played on a team-mate.
27/03/23·28m 42s

James Simpson | Mustaches, wheelchair rugby growth and meeting royalty

Jenna and Jon are joined this week by Leeds Rhinos wheelchair rugby league coach, James Simpson to discuss all things mustaches, the growth of the sport and meeting royalty after England's World Cup success.
20/03/23·31m 47s

Kelsey Gentles | Pregnancy, protein shakes and tattoos

York Valkyrie and England winger Kelsey Gentles joins Jenna and Jon at Sky Sports HQ this week to talk about pregnancy, name changes and whether protein shakes and leg-tattoos are good or bad for the game.
14/03/23·39m 48s

Kyle Amor | Ostrich rides, 'Marras', and falling back in love with rugby league

This week, former St Helens prop and proud Cumbrian Kyle Amor joins Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin to discuss how representing his county helped him rediscover his love of the game, his new life after leaving full-time rugby, and tackle questions in our new feature 'Off The Bench, On The Bench'.
06/03/23·30m 49s

Danny McGuire | 'Legends', Leeds vs Saints, haircuts and influential coaches

Danny McGuire joins Jenna and Jon on The Bench to discuss what it's like to be a 'legend', the rivalry that existed between Leeds and Saints and which coaches shaped his career.
01/03/23·32m 10s

Brodie Croft | Life on the ostrich farm

On this week's episode of The Bench, Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin are joined by Betfred Super League star and reigning Man of Steel Brodie Croft. The Australian half-back gives us the inside track on how his career has been revitalised at Salford Red Devils, why he believes the team can shake up Super League's established order, and reveals all on his early years growing up on an ostrich farm in rural Queensland...
23/02/23·28m 43s

Frank Slevin and Mark Applegarth | 'The frog in the well' and how much has Jon learned?

Welcome to The Bench with Jenna and Jon!In this first episode, Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin are joined by Frank Slevin, the Chair of Rugby League Commercial to chat about the upcoming men's, women's and wheelchair Super League seasons. Jon's done his research and asks Frank about 'the frog in the well' - all will become clear, we promise!Then Jon gets a chance to prove how much he's learned about Wakefield's new head coach - Mark Applegarth. How will he get on in his first season in charge of Trinity, and how does he feel about his team being tipped as favourites to be relegated?
16/02/23·37m 45s

Welcome to The Bench with Jenna and Jon!

Welcome to The Bench with Jenna and Jon!Each week, Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin will be chatting all things rugby league and speaking to the big names in Super League and beyond. Make sure you subscribe to catch all the latest episodes.
15/02/23·56s
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