JohnM

Ambition, eh? Why not Sam Allardyce or Jose Mourinho? United will loan their manager, I'm sure. Seriously, though, and I know they've had Smith in charge, I think they need somehow to find a big-hitter, though finding one who'd work alongside or under Myler would seem a difficult task. Wain?

Well said. There are some in here who are in perpetuum mobile when it comes implying refs are prejudiced or biased depending on the teams or decisions. It's those who I'm sure will be keen to train as match officials. I would do it, but I'm too old and too useless, and not licenced to carry a side-arm.

True...but I'm sure there are some posters on here who can make good refs and touch judges.

Is there anyone left on Fiji,?

Exactly. Andy Farrell, Joe Lyndon, Shaun Edwards.....

A credit to the whole sport and good to see that he won't be lost to it. In my view, far too many are lost owing to limited opportunities. Marks out one difference between union and League....there seems to be more opportunities open to ex union players in union than to ex league players in league. "As I come towards the end of my career, I’ve got to think about my next career steps and what’s best for me and my family".

Who is going to pay for all this RL journalism?

Agreed. The only point for me would be to set up a fixture that has some competitive meaning to media, players, fans and prospective fans. Not a pointless friendly played in a carnival spirit, but a fixture between two sides with something to prove and that the wider prospective fan base can get behind at a national level. so Lancs v Yorks? No.

I don't have Internet access at present and there's no terrestrial TV signal, either.

Need jeopardy, antagonism, need scores to settle, desire to be top dog, a cause to espouse, something meaningful that potential fans can get behind. Get a good crowd screaming for sucess, creating an atmosphere that motivates the teams. Globally, we've the World Cup. At club level were covered by the WCC, Challenge Cup, Grand Final. We're covered at international level: one thing and one thing only: GB Vs Aus. So at national level, what could match any of these?

Dog bites man= no news. Man bites dog= national headline news. No "Man bites dog" stories = no media coverage.

Good choices Look also at the Lyke Wake Walk - 42 miles across the North Yorks Moors. ( Closed now? It's 40 odd years since I did it in one go.) GR5 Alpine section: Geneva to Modane. ( Again 40 odd years ago) http://grfive.com/ IVe done some walks on my own but mainly with like-minded mates and colleagues male and female from diverse backgrounds. Much more enjoyable with mates and colleagues than on my own. I've also had great times having done a modest 80-something Munros (so way short of all of them) over weekend trips, consuming notable quantities of Rusty Nails. Don't put things off, though. Get them done when you can, before age catxhes up in you.

I agree. Results on the field are only achieved by the judicious acquiring earning and spending of money.

The World Vs Yorkshire. There has to be some niggle between the two parties to stoke the thing up in the weeks leading up to the game. Lancs Vs Yorks, Red Roses has lost all its sting.

It happens.