Podcast: Craig Lingard on Championship recruitment rules, Batley & two divisions of 14?

Batley Bulldogs head coach Craig Lingard is the latest guest on the Love Rugby League podcast.

The former player joins host George Riley for this week’s big interview following his side’s impressive 28-20 victory over promotion-chasing Featherstone Rovers in the Championship.

Lingard explains the problems teams outside of Super League are facing financially, and with uncertainty over a future change in league structure. He shares his opinions on the league’s possible re-structure, including promotion and relegation and two divisions of 14.

He also discusses the ‘scary’ Championship recruitment rules and also believes second-place in the Championship is within reach for his Bulldogs side. 

Meanwhile, editor James Gordon and deputy editor Drew Darbyshire discuss all the latest in the sport.

More on Craig Lingard

Wakefield-born Lingard played his entire professional career at Batley Bulldog, where he played from 1998 to 2008. Playing at full-back, he scored 142 tries and is the club’s all-time leading try scorer.

He turned to coaching following his playing career, first leading Keighley Cougars in 2017. He coached more than 60 games between 2017 to 2019 before being appointed boss at Batley in 2020 following the departure of Matt Diskin.

Lingard was previously assistant coach to John Kear at the Bulldogs and helped guide the side to Championship Grand Final in 2013.

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