39 replies to this topic

[Banbury Wolf]

http://www.rclens.fr...ugby/index.php#

[Just Browny]

Very enjoyable day and event, boosted by the Welsh fans you can see in the photos and in particular by South Wakefield Sharks and his other half. I suspect very few people paid but that doesn't matter: there were loads of kids there having a great time watching rugby league.

The turnout in such a small town with no RL history whatsoever once more makes the argument for international RL - the only way we'll grow the game.

Oh and I really enjoyed the game, certainly the first half. The second was a bit flat since it became clear Wales lacked the firepower to hurt the French.

[Saintslass]

The Welsh need some big blokes up front and to replace Lee Briers who I thought they really missed today. If they can dig up some big blokes and some guile then they will be very handy.

I think the handling errors today were part and parcel of neither set of players having played for a few weeks. They'll both be better for the runout today. I hope that whichever Welsh player it was who went off injured having been out cold will be ok to play again next week. Pity it wasn't the Welsh having a break as they don't have the depth of squad the French do.

[Henson Park Old Firm]

what was the crowd?

[Jim from Oz]

Did it look good on (BBC and French) TV?

i presume it was telecast in UK and France??

Any highlights on YouTube or elsewhere?

[ParraEelsNRL]

what was the crowd?

11,628

Good turnout for their first RL game, something to build on.

[tw15]

On TV, the crowd looked a bit thin. With 11000 people in a 40,000 capacity, it's an unfortunate problem. They seemed to show clips of the same 4 Welsh fans, which suggest they were the only Welsh people there.

Not a great deal of crowd noise through the TV, but the match itself was covered well. Good commentary aimed at those new to RL, intelligent and coherent studio experts, our Tanya doing the pitch side interviews. The match itself wasn't a thriller, but RL is a sport that always delivers an enjoyable 80 minutes.

It was a decent showcase, and I agree it shows the importance of internationals. A lot of people in The south have no idea where places like Warrington and Widnes are, but they can locate Wales and France.

I suspect the BBC will put the match or highlights on their Website.

[Jim from Oz]

I suspect the BBC will put the match or highlights on their Website.

if they do, please let us know !

[ShotgunGold]

if they do, please let us know !

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/wales/19957505

Video at top.

[D9000]

http://www.bbc.co.uk.../wales/19957505

Video at top.

Only shows one French try, though. The whole game is on iplayer:

http://www.bbc.co.uk...France_v_Wales/

[Northern Sol]

I suspect very few people paid but that doesn't matter: there were loads of kids there having a great time watching rugby league.

It does matter. The FFR13 will have made a loss instead of making a profit.

[Dave T]

It does matter. The FFR13 will have made a loss instead of making a profit.

you dont know that. We have no idea if there were subsidies to stage this game there which allowed for free tickets.

[nadera78]

6,500 tickets sold beforehand.

[Northern Sol]

you dont know that. We have no idea if there were subsidies to stage this game there which allowed for free tickets.

They'd have to be huge to cover the cost of the game.

[ParraEelsNRL]

They'd have to be huge to cover the cost of the game.

Yep, and if they stick too it, they might yield from it in a few years.

For gods sake, stop moaning, it was a great success.

[Dave T]

They'd have to be huge to cover the cost of the game.

Why?

[Just Browny]

They'd have to be huge to cover the cost of the game.

Any evidence for that whatsoever?

[Northern Sol]

Any evidence that giving away tickets reduces revenue or that staging games involves paying people such as STewards and players?

No none at all

[Northern Sol]

Yep, and if they stick too it, they might yield from it in a few years.

For gods sake, stop moaning, it was a great success.

You mean if they continue to play games in non-RL areas then somehow attendances in areas that actually have a team might dramatically increase, it is hard to see how.

Having created some interest (one might hope) in RL, it is rather unfortunate to have to say "I'm glad you enjoyed the game but unfortuantely Lens doesn't have a RL club but you might be interested in driving five hours to your nearest club if you want to see another."

[Northern Sol]

Why?

The same reason rugby clubs lose money. Games are expensive to hold.