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And that is the very reason SL needed Toronto.

I have no idea if he's the right person or not, but appointing from within suggests no new ideas.

Why does it, it may be a guy who has excellent ideas and has not had the chance to push them forward. He may well have interviewed well with these ideas and now does have that chance. I've seen enough "external" people at places I've worked to know new ideas absolutely do not mean good ideas.

It's all just basic pyramid theory. The broader the base the better the players need to be to get to reach the top. Hypothetically, If there's only 20 blokes in Wakefield who play RL then they all get SL contracts even if none of them would be signed by anyone else. I haven't seen the latest figures but Ive seen a survey by a sports medicine group saying at least 150,000 Australians aged 15-24 played RL within the last year. With a base that large it would be amazing if Australia wasn't a consistent winner.

Anybody who is underestimating how significant announcements like this are becoming, isn't looking at the bigger picture. This isn't about 10-12 English lads testing their arm in the NRL - it's more that ambition for young talented players is now shifting and the NRL know it.

For a start, SL doesn't supply enough players to be considered a feeder league. I think, in 2022 there were only 7 ex-SL players in NRL - I can't remember whether Hodgson played or was injured in pre-season. It might only be 6. By the time these next 2 get here, it may still only be 6 or 7 all up. Hodgson's only 1 injury away from retirement and Whitehead's already 33. Also a bit pedantic here but I didn't count Farnworth because he's never played SL. I don't think George Burgess played SL until after he'd played here for years. Either way, he just retired, so cross him off. If SL can't replace 4 players a year then the problem lies in the SL clubs, not the NRL.

Best set of games since some time. Avignon poor in the opening game against Lezignan 0-16 after twenty minutes but after that the home side got stuck in - finished 6 a piece after that. Baby Dracs best effort this term. Seven of the team Saturday played against Wigan for the Dragons in SL last season. After a slow start new coach Eamon O'Carroll getting them now in shape. Biggest surprise of the lot in Round 8. Last time I saw them Limoux put 50 points over FCL with their Maloney/Normam in tag. Where did that come from yesterday? Pia still undefeated at home and with their new international players from SL. How will they go now into the new year. Really interesting see how they'll go. Toulouse ran them close in Salanque yesterday after their first win last weekend. They have 4 bonus points the highest of the competition. I thought Villeneuve would have got their first win against St Gaudens at home. One of the other biggest shocks of the year so far is what player/coach Mitch Garbutt has done up below the Pyrenee mountains

You'd hope with Andrew Johns on the staff there any half/fullback under his guidance would have a very good chance of succeeding. Heres hoping. Assuming Johns is still there in 2024. Newcastle shaping up as the team to support with their growing English contingent. Dom Young, Bailey Hodgson and now KPP and Pryce.

I've heard good things about this lad, he's supposed to be pretty rapid. Can't wait to see him on Boxing Day.

Tell me you didn't have a big enough budget, without telling me you didn't have a big enough budget.

I think it's a good thing on more than one level. To see that young men - and these are only a couple of years out of high school - are prepared to back themselves to take on a challenge and succeed or, even more importantly to risk "failure", is a good sign of their character. Worst thing that can happen is they work and train hard in a supportive fully professional environment for a couple of years then go back to SL and play another 8-10 years there.

I think the point is they’re claiming to have conducted a global search, and have appointed someone from within. Either the RFL already have the very best people working for them, they’re unable to attract anyone decent externally or they’re making it up - not sure which of the three it is, I suspect the middle one.

Edinburgh Eagles started training yesterday in prep for the challenge cup

Not convinced with KPP compared to others .....misses a lot of tackles

How do the Giants stop something like that from happening? The lad obviously wants to test himself in the best league in the world and will likely be paid a lot more at the same time.

Super League isn’t the issue. It’s always grassroots. it’s also where your sport ranks amongst the demographic. Nsw and qld have the fortune of getting the best athletes of those states as rugby league is ranked amongst the most popular. does rugby league get top picking of the best talent nationally? I highly doubt it. Likewise in nz. The all blacks have some of the best athletes in the country whereas the kiwis wouldn’t rank amongst the all blacks. it’s says more about super leagues inability to build a national brand. It isn’t tapping into the countries best athletes and that reflects in the competition and the national teams results.

Weve had 2 or 3 in the past 10 years, James Graham and the Burgess`s (Burgi?) would have had a very good shout getting into any Aus side. For a few seasons players like Whitehead, Bateman, Hodgson would have got into most Aus Squads, going back a bit further Morley, Ellis. We dont have the depth of squad players they do, but this disparaging of English players is tiresome.

Why do you assume that was the last time we spent big? What do you think it costs to sign 15 players who made it to a grand final last season? Do you think Leaky, manning, Walshaw etc won't have attracted attention from the majority of championship clubs. The fact they enjoy being part of this great club will be a factor in the squad stating together for a third season but they will need paying handsomley as top end Championship players.

Hello there gang after the massive season last time I have around to thinking about 2023 and whether I'm going to be doing it again or not. I have enjoyed doing it and I know there are loads who read and follow it. What I'm asking is do you want me to continue with it. Cheers Roger.

Just arrived back in Spain after the match. Really great game standard excellent mid table Championship for certain Albi unlucky to lose they played some really nice football. Sat in the stand with around 500 + my doggie Trent Robinson was sitting behind me with S Mac the dragons coach great night really enjoyed it . Earlier a few of us went to Mathieu Kim local restaurant where we had a fantastic lunch. What a day back to Blighty on Monday:) Paul

Mr R.E. Dundant.

Legal or not, people should not do it.

Good news (I hope)! I've just seen a trailer for an Inside No.9 Christmas special.

"sometimes it's necessary to park partly on the pavement.' No, it's not necessary. Just park somewhere else. People do not have a right to park outside their own homes. Pavement parking damages the pavement and council tax payers end up footing the bill. Pavement parking also restricts access for mobility scooter, wheelchair users, pushchair users, forcing them into the road.

Unfortunately any internal-like appointment is always going to be tarred by past experiences. Not very fair personally, but the criticism isn't personal either

Quite agree. Time will tell what impact he will have, but just because he's been appointed from within doesn't always mean 'more of the same'. Benefits of recruiting from within being that he will know the business inside out, and the people and know whats what. I can recall some years ago having a conversation with an RFL employee at the time that Nigel Woods was in charge, who commented about the amount of people with talents whose ideas and desire to be progressive were sidelined by the Woods regime. Lets see how he goes with IMG support behind him.

Before opening this thread my only hope was that it was an outsider with real expertise. As per usual it's a promotion from within and more of the same. Comprehensive search my backside.

There’s 510 players in NRL clubs “top thirties” and there’s probably fewer than a dozen of those are English, with two more heading over in twelve months. What number does it go from being normal transfer business to “feeder league”?

Or maybe adventure and lifestyle come into it also, whatever someone's vocation at their age if they have a chance of experiencing it down under making a commitment if they wish to stay or not I am sure a very large percentage of young men would take up the offer.

One of the greatest declarations of all time.

More Englishmen playing professional rugby league in the other Newcastle than the English one.

Huddersfield Giants played 5 (I think) Academy products in the 2022 Challenge Cup Final and finished the domestic season third. That’s their incentive to continue doing what they’re doing. Players leave, it happens. It’s happened numerous times to Wigan, Saints lost Luke Thompson, Catalans have lost Joe Chan, Leeds lost Kallum Watkins and Ryan Hall. Whether we can do anything in terms of remuneration to keep some of these players here is another discussion.

I generally am positive. But the Keighley club's leadership, and the poster in this conversation, want to blame the outside world for their position when the reality is it's not 1996 any more and we need to look forwards and move on. The pathway will exist for them to proceed, should they want to and merit it. And there'll be an existence and role worth having outside of Super League if not. Unless everyone wants to tell me that all the Queensland Cup clubs, their stakeholders and communities are a waste of time too? Having spent time in Mackay and Redcliffe myself, for example, I certainly wouldn't have the balls to. Both of those organisations are significantly more advanced than the Cougars, and one has now built that into a platform for elite comp membership through expansion of team numbers in the NRL. I'd never hold clubs back. But let's be honest, some clubs have wanted to hold the sport back - and have at times succeeded.

Can't blame the lads, who wants to get to the end of their career and think what if...

So England have thrashed a couple of 3rd world nations and a 3rd rate Wales. When they need it, against the likes of France and Argentina, they won't be able to buy a goal. Yes they have some good players but they are made to look better than they really are in the Premier League because they are surrounded by some of the world's best players. Let's face it kick out thr bottom 5 premier league teams and replace them with Real Madrid, Bayern, Napoli, Barcelona and PSG and you have a 'European Super League' right there.

I am old enough to appreciate and understand your comment. Bravo!

So far this season, blow-out scores in Elite 1 seem to have been largely avoided. I find that very encouraging. Thanks to you, Gomersall, for keeping us up to date on the French scores and, as ever, to Audois and Barnyia for adding the local colour week by week.

That certainly puts everyone on their place. Know your limitaions and all that. Just the right attitude fot sport.

Some union clubs are up to 70 million in debt Playing billy big ###### with 5500 fans does not work

He's added to my list.

Oh I don't disagree in that respect - these young men should absolutely strive to do the best for themselves. It's very commendable. The problem is, or will be, that SL's already limited pot of players gets even more diluted as the ripest get picked off at ever younger ages.

Good to see St Gaudens again doing well after a few years of going through the wringer!

The boss appears to have opened a new bar in town so I'm guessing being peak party season they are busy?....

The RU loans at Wasps and Worcester must be paid back - if clubs vanish - by RFU. Shameful the took mega Buicks despite knowing they were doing to the wall. Credits the RFL for keeping our debt down….

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-63781000 I really do like this idea. Something mildly humorous about this, but a clever representation of life. I particularly like the 'five, six, pick up sticks' one.

Hope @ATLANTISMANdoesn't mind me posting this link to his Youtube channel.... it will give you a flavour..... I really like these vignettes on French RL from @ATLANTISMAN

Yes, welcome Northern Union. I guess your moniker relates to the original name of our semi-pro game, not that other lot? Unfortunately, at the end of that inaugural season Hornets finished….last. Hopefully, not an omen! Perhaps we should copy Champions Manningham, with Chinese umbrellas in our colours? https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi6-NDelt37AhXKPsAKHdvcBR8QFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2F1895%E2%80%9396_Northern_Rugby_Football_Union_season&usg=AOvVaw1tyZCJDadROO2DSgj3FFMN

I pretty much agree with all of your post except this bit. There is a persistent trend on this forum to think the NRL are an undermining authority on the international game. Any suggestion that the NRL took a deliberate decision to undermine the 2021 WC is frankly ridiculous. There is simply no rationale behind the theory. If the NRL were trying to undermine the WC, then why did the Kangaroos participate in 2022? Because they had to? They didn’t “have to” in 2022, anymore than they “had to” in 2021. So that theory does not stack up. Whether individuals agree with the NRLs validity to skip the 2021 WC due to COVID is simply of no consequence. Nor does the fact that other sports conducted internationals at the same time bare any consequence. The fact is the NRL saw a highly likely threat to the health of its contracted players. If other organisations felt that the health risk to tens of millions of dollars in playing assets was less than the benefit of participation, then that is down to those organisations and their own risk management. I dare not think how an Australian RL population still living in lock down would have viewed the NRL, had they committed to 2021 and as a result, dozens of players contracted COVID. The risk was credible and that is all there is to the matter.

Massive news that. Shame in some ways but hopefully it will be much stronger going forward