glossop saint

I like Percival and I think that he has been greatly underused by England over the last 7 or 8 years and deserves many more caps, but I would still but him behind Wardle and Farnworth now.

Another sin bin? Please.

Poor by Saints on more than the last unfortunately

And yet again we're talking about structure, number of teams and whether they are locked in or not. It has come around even quicker than people were predicting. It really is the curse of rugby league isn't it?

A comment more relevant to your Christmas tree thread maybe, but our 3 year old is very excited about Santa at the moment. Me and my wife are spending a lot of time talking about Father Christmas. Like Gingerjon says, it's probably a battle that's been going on for decades but this is definitely a hill that I'm willing to die on in the battle against the invading American culture. (I'll be disappointed if a pedant doesn't come along to say that the term Santa is actually an olde English term from the 1400s originating in Cumbria or something!)

Is there any other system other than English, French, Aus or Kiwi? Does any other country actually produce an elite SL or NRL player other than the odd anomaly? If we manage to get an international team of note from outside those 4 nations they will still majority have come through the systems of those 4 countries. I enjoy the heritage teams and they add a bit of flavour and variety but until we, as a sport, get another country with a 'system' then we won't progress.

Hardly welcoming a visiting tribe is it? It is used to pump themselves up and for team bonding during practices in camp and create a connection to the nation for those heritge players. I like the show but let's not pretend it is being done for primarily cultural reasons. And the other team should be able to react however they want without fear of being disrespectful.

I love the show and spectacle. It gets everyone pumped and excited. However I do agree that it gives an unfair advantage. And the other team is supposed to stand there and accept it and show it respect. I doubt the performing team are doing it solely or primarily for cultural reasons or as a welcoming dance that was (I think) the original concept. I'd love to see a team laugh or even yawn during it. No doubt very disrespectful but would be sure to rile the other team and add to the spectacle. On balance I'd keep it.

Or arrogant. Nah, that can't be it.

And if those teams refuse to play?

Shame Mikey Lewis isn't starting! Purely for some good winding up

I've put 'other' but it could be cricket depending on the game/teams. The 'other' would either be road cycling, though again that would be dependent on the race/riders or climbing, mainly bouldering or lead, not interested in speed. Rugby league is probably the only one I specifically plan on watching and will organise my evening/weekend/day around. Or possibly a particularly exciting cycle race or a day 5 off a close test.

Optimistic calling it a discussion as opposed to an opportunity for a baseless rant.

Will we even have played one?

I can't wait until we get down to a High St West v High St East, there'll be hundreds of thousands.