burnleywelsh

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0fbEoEEZEaMM4pUuV2uJmww5xU7BrCf9d2LnGofGTBz6SN7ZWNtsC8FxrNhGfLXfol&id=100023394290603 Herbie’s mentor, ex Wigan Warriors, Brian Foley presenting his 100 NRL appearances shirt. A nice touch.

At the time, the Welsh didn’t care which organisation they played under because both games had the same rules, but it was obviously far easier to carry on playing against Welsh and South West clubs and to pay their players. The Welsh Rugby Union at the time was very much “Establishment” as well, with the game in Wales taking root via the Universities.

Have posted this before. Here's some of the reasons why Wales didn't jump ship, not altogether down to the Northern Union. "Here’s one of the many reasons Wales didn’t switch (courtesy of the Morning Star). It’s a bit simplified in this account. The whole story is quite complicated." So why did Wales stick with union instead of adopting rugby league which would allow its working-class players to receive payment for their time? It’s partly down to one man, Arthur Gould. Gould was a Welsh rugby legend of the late 19th century. One of the sport’s earliest celebrities. He was so popular that during his testimonial year in 1896, enough money was raised for the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to pay off his mortgage, effectively buying his house and giving it back to him. When this news crossed the border, the RFU was furious and accused the Welsh of professionalism. The WRU saw this as an insult to one of their great players and broke its ties with the international board of rugby union and the RFU as a result. The RFU changed their stance, realising that if it alienated Wales its clubs might join the newly formed Northern Union (rugby league) which was a perfect fit for the country’s working-class players and clubs. Tony Collins, author of A Social History of English Rugby Union, believes this was a big turning point in the history of Welsh rugby and rugby union in Great Britain as a whole. “The RFU backed down because they realised that if they expelled Wales over professionalism, Wales would join up with the Northern Union,” explains Collins. “It would mean the power of union and its international appeal would be weakened and the Northern Union would be strengthened. “The two best teams in the four nations at that time were England and Wales, and the best players of England and Wales would be playing Northern Union, which would be a huge blow to the RFU. “If Wales went, that would probably mean clubs in south-west England — Bristol, Gloucester, Bath etc — would also leave as, due to the transport links at that time, it was easier for them to play Welsh teams. “English rugby union would then be restricted to middle-class clubs in the south-east.” So the RFU didn’t ban Gould and didn’t enforce its own rules in an attempt to make sure rugby union remained stronger than the Northern Union. From then on it turned a blind eye to professionalism in Wales, and even though the WRU were also generally opposed to the practice and many Welsh players throughout the 20th century went north to play rugby league, this particular incident meant league would never take hold in the country. There was another reason the Welsh didn’t join the Northern Union. The league and union split had weakened the England rugby union team, which meant Wales was by far the best union side in the four nations — something they quite liked. “By 1895 around 45 per cent of England’s rugby union players came from the north, so after the split England were incredibly weak,” adds Collins. “That meant Wales, the up and coming nation, gained a tremendous amount of national pride because they could beat England every year. “Between 1899 and 1909 Wales beat England 10 times out of 11, with the other match ending in a draw. That meant in Wales rugby was the most important game because they could beat the English, which the Welsh soccer team couldn’t do.”

Do you think Rowley is actually doing any coaching or is he just sat there watching this car crash??

I'd have thought that pre season games are an integral part of a clubs preparation for the season. Not just a 'run out'. You wouldn't want your team's first competitive fixture to be the first time they've kitted up together. Dreadful news for the player though.

Based at Wasps RFC home ground in West London. The amateur set up of the now defunct Wasps RU entity.

More good news from Wales. https://jetsrugby.wales/west-wales-jets-to-launch

Further to the BBC getting the Forces fixtures wrong (it's still on the BBC website incorrectly), it's no wonder Telford got beat, the rest of their squad was playing soccer against Stamford in the Non League Premier Southern Central Division. ... But Midlands Premier Division champions Telford United bowed out as they went down 64-16 at Rochdale Mayfield. Telford United 2 v 0 Stamford Who does this stuff for the Beeb ?? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cdxeqennv5eo

Yes, up close. Looks very dark to me from a distance. Maybe it's just me then.

Bit of a hard watch, Thatto Heath v Orrell St James. Both teams in black !!! Surely a change of strip should have happened.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cdxeqennv5eo BBC getting it wrong again about the Forces next opponents.

As an aside……..is that a regulation haircut for the Army loose forward……??

He’s right about everything north of Brecon being ignored by the WRU.

And……..What’s happening at Cornwall???

I don't think it works in UK sports, retiring numbers. I believe it's an American thing (correct me if I'm wrong). In American football as a rule, players are required to wear numbers within ranges based on their position. Therefore, they can 'afford' to lose a number to retirement as there are plenty of numbers per position.

Are the Irish clubs still having to play their games in the UK ?

Sorry, what point are you trying to make here?

“You can’t coach strength, you can’t coach speed but the rest can be and clubs can say, ‘We were part of Nigeria making the Rugby League World Cup.’ “We’ve never had an African nation in that before, men’s or women’s. A bit dismissive of South Africa's efforts in playing in two World Cups from Ade.

I think the problem is that in many countries, the Sports Ministries don't get it that League and Union are separate sports. When Rugby League tries to establish itself in these countries, they get told that there is already a 'Rugby' Federation in existence.

Norwegian Rugby League facing the usual disruption........

Here’s a link. Most have their place of birth listed. https://rugbyleague.wales/under-19-squad

Another Burnley born Centre continues to impress. https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/11/07/butt-recognised-for-outstanding-talent-at-british-asian-rugby-awards/

Cardiff City Blue Dragons for me.

Classy establishment

Comes ‘home’ on a regular basis……..His brothers wouldn’t put up with that Aussie stuff