Damien

Its unbelievable and its been a pleasure to see how those two clubs have grown. I look forward to Wakefield joining them too as they continue to grow.

Leeds have certainly built well again under Arthur after the poor Smith appointment and will be a force to reckon with in the play offs.

My point was more related to this thread and the similarities between the gaslighting we have seen and the way that is being facilitated by friends in the sports media.

Not really a Schofield fan, and often disagree with his views, but I've really enjoyed listening to him on this. Think he has come across really well and its clear he has genuine respect from the Aussies on the show.

RU being bigger than Football has long been a myth. I dont know if it has ever even been true, it certainly hasn't for as long as I can remember.

Im not a fan of this at all and dont see how it helps the women's game develop in the UK.

Im not ruling out anything. I just dont see it as a particularly attractive part of the game or something I am dying to see more of. To me it is lower skill with much more luck involved.

Funny this popped up on my feed. Its Welsh RU but sounds like a very familiar approach to what we see in RL and the same modus operandi when it comes to running the game, IMG and French clubs: They are briefing to uncritical journalists who rely on them for access that they are attempting to close one or even two of the professional clubs. ..... Look out for the usual journalists to hit the ‘send’ button on the latest in a long line of ‘this can’t go on, we need to close a region’ think pieces. They are trying to create an air of inevitability for something they will fail to achieve.

Yes you're right, I meant Marshall. Size comes with age as much as anything with some kids. Its pretty hard as a teen to play in SL, particularly in a position like centre, when you haven't naturally developed your frame yet. On the one hand you have the likes of Nsemba and Eckersley who just have that size naturally then others like Hanley who have to wait a bit and will develop later. He has still retained a fair turn of pace too.

I think the complete opposite. Why would you try anything when you are guaranteed to keep the ball and are at next to no risk of losing it? I think it would be boring as anything and like the RU passages, but worse, where you have 30 phases to move 5 metres.

Like Football here then.

Not for me. A season too far, as was this for a starting 2nd row anyway.

I think Hanley had him well covered there anyway and Field never had the room to work in. Good tackle all the same. Again though, as I mentioned previously, that situation was made all the easier by playing 2 wingers with no pace, either due to injury or otherwise. It makes life much easier for the defence. Hanley played well and looks far better now than when he left Wigan. At that time he was still very lightweight and to be honest looked like a player who may not live up to his initial promise and struggle to make it in SL. Hes much more robust and aggressive now, as when he tackled Field in goal for the from out. Another Leigh player that played well.

Yes, next season too.

I wasnt chalking it just down to Smith, its quite obvious others were involved. What is notable, and unforgivable, is the way Smith just gives up and makes no effort, none of the coaches will take too kindly to that. Thats what I found poor.