Archie Gordon

Inflated attendances will be common. IMG are not checking the figures posted to the LA, they are relying on 'ad hoc audits' to achieve compliance. Daft.

But not 11/12 weeks. However, I think Hughes now has to pay for improved floodlights at PL and may (ought to) use that as a bargaining tool to reduce the gap to ~6 weeks. London should use that gap to take a big game to a big(ger) stadium.

It eliminates choice because often they don't put the other rows on sale even when they have just singles left. I've struggled with this; others have mentioned it. People delay buying or even don't bother. It must hurt sales.

Williams out. Pryce in?

First test is Sunday.

Not the same day. Even if it was, I wouldn't think it would make any impact.

I think the RFL/RLC value put on each is: 0, very low, 0, 0 It's sad.

I was agreeing with you that having tests at St Helens, Huddersfield and Leeds with ticket prices around ~25GBP is set up to break even at very best. However, I very much disagree with your premise on a London venue. The RFL/RLC can charge ~40GBP per seat there and absorb the extra costs.

Nail on the head. It was always a series set up to fail financially.

It looks as if we'll head into the first test with poor defenders at 1, 6 and 7. A risk.

Hehe. Saw that coming.

RFL/RLC will meet after the series and this will be their interpretation: Good job we didn't go to London then, lads, if the crowds in the heartlands were this poor! Yes, tickets must still be priced waaaay too high. Halve them for next year - and all 3 tests should be held as a triple-header at Headingley.

I guess we can't complain when Young and Farnworth aren't named tomorrow then. It would explain why they're not being used to promote the series.

Radley was at the GF. Anyone seen Young and Farnworth?

It's odd. On the one hand, we're told that ticket sales are crucial to the RFL's coffers. On the other hand, no build up, no sign of an England squad, and a short vid of some miserable looking Tonga players getting off a bus.

Anyway. Squad named today. Anyone seen it?

London has a track record of folk attending England RL games in larger numbers than the North. Ought to have been the first test. Holding 4 big games in 4 weekends at Manchester, St Helens, Huddersfield and Leeds is asking for low engagement. Not the fans' fault; daft planning. EDIT: I've tried to contextualise this. I'm trying to imagine which other national sport might hold games in Bath, Bristol, Swindon and Reading on consecutive weekends and expect high engagement across all 4 events. It would be bizarre.

I've done my bit and more for RL expansion. If there's no support for the international game in these far-off places like Huddersfield, you can't expect us Southerners to make up the numbers.

There are no plans for those kinds of number as about a third of the seats aren't even going on sale. To me, it looks as if pre-sales have reached about 3k. A blockbuster first test is needed.

I'm 50/50 about going to the Huddersfield test. One of the things holding me back is that I don't fancy being part of an 8k crowd.

Is there a consensus, then, that Rhodri Jones has got it wrong when stating all SL games will be "televised"?

What will happen to London's PT players? Will they be able to take a year out of their jobs?

OMG. We are set for interesting times in 2024.

Are you expecting the upcoming 2nd Test at Huddersfield to lift crowds at Halifax next year?

Looks like £££ and resources are going to be spent on maintaining all the community/development/foundation work going on in the NE.