gingerjon

But your comment was about administration.

Great Britain men are currently suspended from all international competition. And that's just for starters. The thing in basketball's favour is that it has, unlike RL, administrators at other levels who are capable of running the sport and growing numbers, plus an international governing body that is independent of the nations within it and stronger than them too. So - TL:DR basketball as a sport is in a better position, as an administration, makes the RFL look smart.

Ground criteria are in the RFL minimum standards/operational rule. The gradings are about using the stadium on the assumption the minimum standards have been met.

Obviously, I'm focusing on the important details but I do like seeing the Kiwis out there in an All Black kit (even if I prefer it with a white chevron).

62, 38, 16, 48, 54, 22, 54, 14, 38, 44, 28, 80, 34, 30, 38, 20, 24, 64, 32 Those are the margins this century. No game within two converted tries.

The rise doesn't happen because of a couple of internationals a year - though, obviously, those games should be played. The internationals are, long term, the last, not the first, piece of the jigsaw.

You are so right. That will be why it costs a shilling to get into Old Trafford or Anfield these days.

All it needs is confirmation from the RFL that that isn’t the case. Or just a WhatsApp to Martyn.

As I said on the other thread. If that is true then it is disgusting. That is money that should be earmarked for targeted development and grassroots infrastructure. Part funding the contracts of journeymen players for teams 13 and 14 shouldn't even be in the conversation. What a waste.

Assume that is correct then that absolutely is money that should be being used to fund development across the country. Disgusting.

The vague flow on social media that I've seen from Forest fans is (a) relief that Ange has gone and also (b) Marinakis is a joke.

Spot on. I don't know Odsal well enough to comment but if they are 'close' then that could be a major issue very soon as there does, at last, seem to be genuine moves to remove solid concrete/brick walls from alongside pitches. Just a shame that Billy Vigar had to die for anyone to notice the problem.

The ego of Ange to go there was quite something but it's an absolute joke of a set-up and anyone sane should stay away. I hope he gets a decent pay off.

France did not improve when they played England every year. They haven't even given England a genuinely competitive game in decades. The international needs to be played because international rugby league needs to be played and be visible. But France need to do so much to build up the game there and the international side is really only a very small aspect of it.

That appears to be the final jigsaw piece.

The cynic in me says that we'll all be forgetting about it in due course.

We may not have much choice given the reported match fee last time out.

It’s been reported that that’s the case but there is also (a) a meeting in December to confirm and (b) a strategic review to be published and responded to.

Do France want to play this game? Remember they put it on as a curtain raiser to Featherstone Rovers last time out. (It should be done, it should be in France, it deserves better than the recent attempts around it)

Yes, very much the RFL not the manufacturer on this one

Yes, past experience would say to prepare for there being more poppy than kit

It will be that.

Shohei Ohtani breaks the English language because describing him as the greatest ever isn't hyperbole, it's actually not really enough. The only way performances like this will ever get bettered is if he does it.

We have a sport that could have been created for TikTok.

Yes. I’m not saying things like that can’t happen. I’m saying I do not see how London get to that point.