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Yeah, they should have gone with a massive crow's face instead...

Cornwall.

Convinced they're trolling us at this point...

Me too. Sorely disappointed after arrival, didn't even realise there was another Panthers but leaving educated.

First round draw Fryston Warriors v Thornhill Trojans Featherstone Lions v Great Britain Police Skirlaugh v Wests Warriors Hull Dockers v Rhondda Outlaws London Chargers v North Herts Crusaders Doncaster Toll Bar v RAF Hammersmith Hills Hoists v Dublin City Exiles Brentwood Eels v Bedford Tigers Stanningley v Milford Royal Navy v Barrow Island West Bowling v Waterhead Westgate Common v Crosfields British Army v Ashton Bears Edinburgh Eagles v Saddleworth Rangers Wigan St Pats v Ince Rose Bridge Distington v Orrell St James Heworth v Oulton Raiders Jarrow Vikings v Myton Warriors Second round draw Jarrow Vikings/Myton Warriors v Leigh Miners Rangers Skirlaugh/Wests Warriors v London Chargers/North Herts Crusaders Hull Dockers/Rhondda Outlaws v Midlands Hurricanes British Army/Ashton Bears v Dewsbury Rams Fryston Warriors/Thornhull Trojans v Stanningley/Milford Workington Town v Wigan St Pats/Ince Rose Bridge Rochdale Hornets v London Skolars Distington/Orrell St James v Hammersmith Hills Hoists/Dublin City Exiles Cornwall v Rochdale Mayfield Hunslet v Heworth/Oulton Raiders Siddal v West Hull Brentwood Eels/Bedford Tigers v Wash Brow Hornets North Wales Crusaders v Royal Navy/Barrow Island Doncaster Toll Bar/RAF v York Acorn Lock Lane v West Bowling/Waterhead Featherstone Lions/GB Police v Westgate Common/Crosfields Hunslet v Pilkington Recs Doncaster v Oldam Edinburgh Eagles/Saddleworth Rangers v Thatto Heath Crusaders

Hopkins signed on for another 2 years

Unfortunately politics plays a part in this discussion because the whole debate was caused by a political decision to abandon the previous Stadium redevelopment scheme.

If people like Simon are waiting for the announcement of a silver bullet, I've some news: There isn't going to be one. That's the point. We've spent 20 odd years playing a series of last 10 second 'Wide to West' miracle plays, only like most of those in games that you never remember these ones haven't worked... "middle eights", "magic weekend", "million pound game", "licensing... no, not licensing"... it's nuts. Hopefully we'll now just see some professionals go quietly about their work, tweaking the product presentation and marketing the game properly, doing the equivalent of building pressure with 3 repeat sets on the opposition's line so that the win comes with the right systems and processes

Interview with the new coach on yo1 radio. Good listen ( not sure about the bloke interviewing him though)

Can I respectfully ask why has the League Express changed its social media output strategy in recent weeks? Seeing my timeline flooded with a dozen pointless list-based articles a day with clickbait headlines has quickly become very tiresome. Has Callum Walker been given this remit on purpose? I get that website are desperate for click-based ad revenue, but its really sad to see the publication head this way.

Yes, there is only two designs you can have in Rugby League. A V or a stock image of an animal that may or may not be the animal of your teams nickname.

Well it worked well for them in the NZ game.

Its cheaper than therapy

I thought this was about Fax

Yes, I think that was understood to be the process pre-covid. The calculations involved were completely thrown off by that pause in fixtures coupled with the reduced offer from Sky. As far as I am aware the formula became completely opaque after that and clubs didn't know where they stood on any of the criteria. It wouldn't be beyond the wit of man to reveal what each club's funding for 2023 is though although those in charge of the clubs may not want it being made public. To be honest, do any of us who follow non-SL clubs have any clear idea of the state of the finances of our own clubs? All of them simply submit abbreviated accounts which reveal very little.

Leighs day of infamy. Things can only get better.

How does the Leigh shirt still look like a mock up even in a real life photo? So much fun to be had from the "Well, it's got people talking so it's good" crowd.

Stretched over the average lobbygobbler that is going to look quite the thing. Not sure it’ll look much like a leapord though.

Be good to see that Leigh shirt at all the games, club have sold loads of them in the packages.

Nope, and never.

Wigan st pats or Ince roose bridge Hopefully get a decent crowd UTT

Was out at the pub the other day and the discussion started around if we could find 5 players from across SL history who were the UK's median height from the season they played in if any ideas are needed. Might need the slightest amount of research though ...

Nothing preventing it but I've never come across players being paid for friendlies.

As a poor analogy, would Mr. Grix mind answering fans asking about what's happening at Fax every 5 minutes?

Since when did the French ever listen to government officials. Get the yellow vests on.

Very excited about this game, more so because we’re going over there for it. It’s a fixture I’ve missed, especially seeing as Saints have dominated the past four seasons, as it’s a fixture I really enjoy and not being able to have this fixture too has been annoying. I thought Saints weren’t far off against the Roosters in 2020 and I hope we have a real good dig against the Panthers.

Don't worry mate, Saints will ease off after they get a 20 point lead as they will have one eye on upcoming games against Wakey and Leigh. Love the WCC - would love it even more for a saints win and to keep Penrith poor record against SL teams going.

Probably one of the few bets in that list that's not bad value (there will be about 500 players in the Championship this season), especially if it looks like Leilua will be his centre partner again, Briscoe scored 21 in 24 when Leilua played in 2022. Interesting that Leilua doesn't even seem to be quoted! The other Fev threequarters, Hall, Evans, Gale etc don't make so much appeal as there's a bit of doubt over who will play regularly (whereas Briscoe seems very likely to be our right wing once again), and backing Kheirallah at 16-1 would be a bit daft when he's going to miss a big chunk of the season. Walmsley should be thereabouts again and maybe Maizen too. Olly Ashall-Bott the Toulouse full back is another that isn't quoted who could get a hatful of tries. There's some spectacular bad value in that list though. I mean, Ben Blackmore, at 12-1, playing half his games at Odsal (if he gets in their team)? The two Keighley lads are poor value too, they won't be facing the likes of West Wales and Cornwall this season, and I don't think Ilias Bergal has been announced as staying with Toulouse yet and he might not be first choice if he does, whilst Isaac Nokes might be 100-1 but even those odds don't look generous seeing as he has signed for the Ipswich Jets in Australia...

I'd like to see more players just absolutely leather it along the ground between the 30 & 40 metre line. If you're asking the opposition to fight to keep it in play you're massively increasing the odds of a knock on or at least a slow play of the ball.

The Northern Rail Cup in the mid to late 00's was outstanding, even the group stages at the start. I've never understood why we got rid.

I like this squad overall. I still think we're one experienced outside back and big nasty prop short, but hopefully Hendo's keeping his powder dry in case we pick up any early injuries or releases as quite often happens. Great to see AJ promoted to #5. Starting to get excited again now!

Or just put the 1895 Cup back as it was?

So your down to no silver bullet, and "hopefully" some" tweaking" and better "marketing". I think you've already got that with Rovers being tweaked into an "A"............ Meanwhile the "B"s and "C"s await what Miracles IMG will deliver to them ..............

Outbreak? It must be a new virus. They'll make a vaccine to protect us northerners soon.

I think it was Oldham who said in a statement that they were deciding on how best to compensate season tickets holders for the ‘lost’ home game. However I dont do twitterweb or facebook so Hornets might have said something on those feeds.

Not sure where people are getting there prices from for the Leigh v Leeds Friendly Below taken from Leigh Leopards FB posted 16th December Adults - £15.00 Age 12-21 - £10.00 Age 5-12 -£5.00 Under 5s - FREE Misinformation on Social Media? Who'd have thought it!! (Although hospitality cost is ridiculous at £80+VAT)

Its absolute rubbish that is getting churned out. I unfollowed as it were doing my head in seeing all the click bait that they and others were putting out. Click bait is one of the lowest forms of advertising but it obviously works hence why it is so popular. Its lazy journalism as well, I mean do I really care which SL team has the greenest grass or rubbish like that? Interview some players, maybe speak to clubs find out some feel good stories about the players like who's doing some charity work that nobody knows something. Aim for raising the profile of the game, instead all this does is alienate people who are actually interested in the game.

Given their lack of communication I'm looking forward to a "Bring Back the RFL" thread and page after page of where is Ralph Rimmer now we need him?

https://www.yo1radio.co.uk/podcasts1/yo1-local-sport/episode/yo1-radios-rugby-league-correspondent-paul-harrison-speaks-exclusively-with-york-rlfc-knights-head-coach-andrew-henderson/

pretty much all modern stadiums below the championship just have one multifunctional stand with basic covered terracing/seating on the other sides of the ground, and in fairness that's all they need. It could well be the description of 'one stand' that Derwent Parker keeps referring to has been slightly lost in translation in the council minutes. There's no way they are going to built a new grandstand at BP and leave the rest of the ground as it is, for a start there's no run off over the touchline, even at amateur level you need a 3 metre gap between the touchline and barriers. There's also no 'in-goal' area for RL, so straight away the pitch isn't big enough - plus there's well known issues with the pitch drainage at BP, so I'm in no doubt the site will be raised to the ground and they will start from scratch with the new build (whatever that may be!) Let's hope there's some updates sooner rather than later. I know some of the directors follow topics on this page and they will be as frustrated as everyone else at the lack of information being released

bearded hipster weirdos Same round here. I just hope it doesn't catch on with men.

I blame "The Repair Shop".

Old before your time , arguing with old men , saddo

Exactly. The fact that he was running about in the centres for England and will be about 5th choice there for his club tells you about the state of England-eligible centres in the game, the abysmal level of centres across the League, and how poor the english game is at developing them. This is taking NOTHING away from @DG70's original comment about Salford's recruitment. It has as he says, been excellent. A credit to the League and hopefully indicative of a club on an upward trajectory. I will definitely be keeping an eye on them in the coming season, and hope they do well.

The result of a club friendly will make not the slightest difference to international RL.

I agree. League Express' online output is tedious. I assume those in charge look at what generates more clicks and therefore more revenue and have decided that this is the best approach. A paucity of quality all sacrificed for quantity. It must work and League Express are entitled to do as they please but I do actively avoid clicking and interacting with these clickbait articles. In some ways, it's a shame that this is what is needed now to draw in fans.

Ellis was outstanding last year & deserved more time on the pitch imo, seemed to be the fall guy going off to many times when he was getting right into the opposition Would be on the starting sheet every week for me

"I felt enthused by the IMG announcement. We need to change and I hope people buy into what's coming, but I don't think we're even being drip-fed anything. As both a fan and a coach, it's a bit frustrating because as a club we want to be planning for the future, where we want to be and how we get there. "In the Championship, so many clubs live year-to-year. The ability to plan forward and create something is brilliant" I have to say he sounds gutted about what IMG can bring to the table, so gutted he wants it as soon as possible...

I think the turning point for LE was the exodus of staff to go set up Rugby League Live which publishes across all the regional newspapers. I used to be an avid reader of LE(physical, the digital via pocket mags app then finally the monthly subscription service they introduced) but have cancelled a few months back after getting frustrated with the decline in quality. As a Leigh/Championship fan, frequently the weekly round up for each club would just be word for word articles taken from respective clubs press releases for signings/post match comments etc and exclusives have become few and far between. Nowadays I tend to look to the following for any RL news Rugby League Live - easily the most comprehensive coverage and most reliable when it comes to transfer rumours. Much like a lot of other RL media they do tend to err against being too critical in articles and tend to shy away from really holding people to account. Rugby League Hub/John Davidsons patreon service - Probably the only media that do consistently cast a critical eye over the game and do have their fair share of exclusives, but with it being a patreon it is quite opinion based and agenda driven which has to be taken with a pinch of salt. Love Rugby League - I think they do a good job of summarizing stories around the game whilst actually giving proper credit/citations. They do cover lower leagues and French game more than most which is a plus and the podcast is decent.

I see Barrow have signed Saints teenage half-back Ellis Archer. He still lives in Barrow and was commuting to Saints nearly every day so probably a good move for the lad to drop down a division in order get more regular 1st team rugby and not have the long daily commute. Seen him a few times and the lad has shown a lot of promise, think he'll go well at Barrow. Been told that part of the deal to release him from his contract Saints have a "First option signing" for him if he ever decides to go full time Pro with a SL club in the future.