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What a great appointment this is, could be transformational not just for the club but for Wales RL if he can harness the development pathways in Wales. http://www.totalrl.com/west-wales-appoint-australian-kim-williams-as-new-coach-for-2019/ West Wales Raiders have appointed the former Melbourne Storm high performance manager Kim Williams as their new head coach starting from the 2019 season. Williams has built a strong reputation in Australia and is recognised as being one the best head coaches outside of the NRL, according to the Raiders. Born in Shellharbour in New South Wales, he began as a development officer in 1998 in Adelaide. He then had seven years as the development manager for the Western Australia Rugby League in Perth. He joined the Storm in 2009 and was responsible for the management of the Victorian Rugby League representative programmes as well as the Melbourne Storm Academy, who he coached to the NRL Under 18 Grand Final in his first season where they lost out to Canterbury Bulldogs. He moved to the Queensland Cup – the second best rugby league competition in Australia – in 2013, when he replaced former South Wales Scorpions coach Anthony Seibold to take charge of Mackay Cutters, leading them to finish top of the league table and to win the Grand Final in his first season. He remained there until the end of the 2015 season. He has spent the last three years as head coach of another Queensland Cup side, the Rockhampton-based Central Queensland Capras, a feeder side to NRL club Brisbane Broncos. Williams’ grandfather, Griffin Williams, was born in Swansea, emigrating to Australia with his family after he served in the Royal Navy in World War 2. This has given him extra incentive to coach West Wales Raiders, the Llanelli-based club being based less than an hour away from his family’s roots. Williams said: “I want to help establish West Wales Raiders as the premier rugby league club in Wales by building the foundations for sustained success. “I will be bringing a high level of professionalism and knowledge into the club to develop strong and clear pathways for our junior and local players, and I want to create a culture at the club that meets the expectation of our supporters and stakeholders. “I am very proud of my Welsh heritage and see a great opportunity to help develop our great game in Wales. I’m impressed with the passion and professionalism shown by Andrew Thorne and the board of the Raiders and I’m excited to be a part of their plans moving forward.”

Can I used your quote to the remainers on the "Position in the EU" thread, the non-tory voters on the "Those nice Tories" thread and nearly everyone on the "POTUS" thread?

I’m glad you typed carefully

Apart from injuring his arm while running. Obviously did something wrong then. 😉

We’ve bought haven for £27.40 and going to use them as our feeder club?

I slipped and stubbed my toe, what opportunities will this open up for Kabbadi in Ukraine?

with the reds juniors and reds in the communiy it would be great if town could get some kind of youth set up. youth football and rugby games as curtain raiser. maybe had the odd day when both teams play on the same day and offer a double header ticket etc

I hope no channel shows the game. England v France in front of 5,000 people in Leigh on a Wednesday night would be an absolutely horrific look for RL on live TV.

Well it's obviously going to be tough for the Bears against Bradford but there's also been an improve in performance from the Bears over the last couple of weeks. I'd like to see the Bears compete well and score some tries. Regardless of the result its set to be a massive day for the Bears. There is stuff going on all day and there's set to be a bumper crowd. There is a Try Tag tournament, Juniors festival, barbeques and craft beers, and also 4 live music acts playing before and after the game. I personally can't wait for what is going to be a great day in the sun. We've done a special preview episode of the game including interviews with The Game Caller and Mark Wilson amongst others. Details in this thread.

Why is this game not being held in London? None of the three tests will be in the Capital, so why not think big and go all out for a London venue?

East Stand at York taking shape.

next up its a massive game away against york this sunday 3pm kick off, with living in york this game is on my doorstep, can't wait, will be very tough, york are a very very good side, it's a massive game for us if we want to finish in the top 5 at the end of the season, strongest possible 17 has to play this game, need 100 percent concentration otherwise york will well and truly punish us, looking forward to sunday cant wait! come on thunder!!

Translating it from Jingoism to English first might help There is still no consensus on what Brexit we want as as soon as there is some Brexit voters are going to be unhappy and shouting about betrayal of "their Brexit"

Well there will be no conflict of interest from me tonight...watch the first half of WC game then turnover for the really big game at 7 45...after all the England v Belgium will be no more than a training game with plenty of subs imo, they've both qualified so be an anti climax, will keep updated in 2nd half during pauses in Warriors v Rhinos game, of which there will be plenty of pauses, heat related... prediction is Wigan 2. Leeds 52....sunstroke and heat already affecting me!

I heard a report (so not direct but I'll jump start the outrage bus anyway) that big Sam had suggested England ought to try to come second in their group. Gareth Southgate said "Win all your games" I know which mentality I want in charge. Is it too early to call for Sir Gareth of Southgate?

Just read the Press, outside chance that JBF could return which would be a huge boost.

Is anyone else delighted that Big Sam got the boot, whether he deserved to or not?

Because they really don't give 2 hoots about the game or the fans & just bothered about filling their schedules. The attendance is gonna take a real hit. wigan by 10.

I feel for the French, not much respect shown to them with this half assed attempt.

Maybe England can't go to France because of the travel, the altitude, the heat, the food, the wine, etc, etc, etc?

I would also add that NZ dominance is offset by the competitiveness of the next 6-8 nations below them.

Bradford is hardly glamour capital of the world but I see houses being built on any spare bit of land (not social housing). Expensive houses too. So who the hell is buying them if everyone is skint? I couldn't afford one!!

Joachim Löw will be sacked, see the error of his ways and steer Germany RL to the 2025 World Cup in England after Jason Moore binned the US version due to NRL blocking tactics.

...er...none, I should think.

This is something to bear in mind next time you think about berating Australia for their lack of commitment to the international game. England treat the international game exactly the same, in proportion to their strength. Australia treat every nation below them with contempt and so do England.