usain bolt

There's more staff than players from what I've saw on some of the pictures, assistants of assistants by the looks of it. £5000 a head, rediculous amount of money that some players and clubs, especially those with a few players selected will struggle to afford.

Plenty of reasons to be cheerful in 2024, until the new rules are in place and the games are ruined by a multitude of penalties that would have probably spoiled the enjoyment of those 2 fixtures you attended. The orrell v haresfinch fixture, having watched it on the sportsmans channel would have attracted a mass of penalties for high tackles, which simply under the pro rules this year wouldn't be, but will be under the community rules, and most of the tackles weren't dangerous but ball and all which were being applauded by the commentators. My concern is, coaches and players study, copy and learn from the pro game, however there'll be nothing to compare to, and if the current rules are so damaging to the players and game, then why are the new rules not being rolled out across the board. The game will be a lottery week to week, dependent on interpretation from refs, some will be strict I'd guess and some more lenient, and some for part of a game and some for the full 80. Yep, role on 2024, and the continued demise of rugby league, from within

Meant only 2 from this years ncl prem that are missing from the draw overall, nothing to do with round 1 or 2

Kells and Egremont must have decided not to enter as they're the only 2 from 12 ncl prem teams not entered

Percival and Connor too, but pretty limited after that

I'd predict welsby stays at 1, and currie or Bateman fill the centre hole.

Agree, don't think welsby be moved either

Surely a specialist centre should have been brought in, but I guess who, shows how light in that department we are. Is Thewlis a recognised 1, can't see welsby being shifted from 1, but probably able to fill the centre as good as anyone. Lewis could maybe have slotted in at 1 also, with welsby centre

Light at centre, who be the 2 to play there. Fill in with Bateman or currie out of position or 1 of the 3 wingers in the 19?

Agree with wood from west hull, cracking player, think holgate at brow is a top 9 too. Wilson at west hull, usually prop and kicker always seems to go well also. The Aussie centre at Mayfield looked good and Tracey, back rower at Thatto always seems to be a threat with ball in hand. Think hosty is a better centre than a half also. Lock Lane prop always leads from the front, he carries well too. Would have to have a good think for a 1 -13 although mcshane at 1 and dargan wing are big threats and top players at hunslet along with shulver but arbon at west hull is better I think. Siddal back rower is strong too, can't think of his name, think he's ginger though, and likes a carry in the attacking 20 area

Watched hunslet and agree with most of those positions you've mentioned as being their best players, and as you say probably up there as the best in the league in those positions. Picking an England community lions side now, they'd probably dominate the squad, if they fancy playing that is, sure mcshane at 1 declined the last tour, and maybe the big back rower. Who'd be your best 3, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13 from the rest of the community game to fill out the community lions team, there certainly are some great candidates to choose from.

I think Bateman will be captain, Whitehead vice

I totally agree, the ncl is the premier competition and has more stability, and looking at this year's draw, very few winter based teams have entered the barla cup, more ncl clubs have entered, probably more as a pre season requisite than anything else, although the blanks in the ncl season seem to allow progress to the semis and final this time around without a problem of having 2 fixtures on the same day if there's progress to those latter rounds by an ncl team. Maybe more teams would enter the barla cup if they knew prior that there wouldn't be a clash of fixtures, league ncl fixture/barla semi or final on the same day, but that dialogue doesn't seem to happen. A knockout tournament whether it be the barla cup or not was always a nice change to the week to week league campaign but nowadays it seems more of a hindrance, I just don't know why that is, players I guess just seem to want the most minimal of formats maybe

Would it have been a success moving it to a summer cup, there are no summer cups now as the ncl got rid of theirs, so there's no saying the barla cup would be any better off being played in summer as there seems to be no appetite for any summer cups now. The ncl don't have any leeway in the season it seems, a few blank weekend's for catch up fixtures if needed looking at the fixture list

The barla national cup is open invite to all, think there was 19 this year who entered, and blackbrook pulled out in the preliminary round v Siddal leaving 18. Not many teams want to play in it anymore, sad but true

Are the BBC showing a game a round this year, hope so

Ah, thought it was 2019, last time brow entered, apologise if it's a mistake, just remember them missing

Looks like Kells and egremont this year who haven't entered, Wath Brow have entered for a change

Thanks spidey and del capo, thought all ncl prem teams were required to enter but looks like that's untrue. Looks like a pretty much who wants to regarding ncl teams, until there's enough entrants

What's the criteria for entry, and which teams have entered

I agree, Mcmeeken gives added flexibility being able to play edge, but he's still there as a middle in wanes eyes, he'll be in the middles rotation unless injury strikes elsewhere.

He'll go 4 middles like he did v png and Samoa, Mcmeeken was used as a middle even though he's an edge for Catalans. Knowles, Lees, Cooper, Thompson, Mcmeeken, 4 from those 5. Wouldn't be surprised if the team stays the same, but Thompson in for either Lees or Mcmeeken would be my pick.

Same 17 for me I think, 4 forwards with Bateman able to fill a backs role if necessary and Radley back up 9.

Pearce Paul for Thompson Sneyd for Ackers Wasn't far off on the 19 selection, no surprises for me other than Thompson not in the 19 at all. Think he'll go mcmeeken bench for Thompson, the rest as above

When's the England squad due to be announced?