welshmagpie

Probably 80% of the rugby league players down here are rugby union players. The strongest clubs seem to base themselves at solid union clubs and get good crossover and then allow juniors to flow through. Cardiff’s juniors are strong at 15s, 13s, 12s for example with big numbers - just about keeping them ‘in the club’ past 16.

Lack of numbers.

Head of Youth is Paul Berry, but that’s more from a pathways perspective eg origin into 16s and then into 18s

Did he play for Catalans over the weekend?

I know with Wales last year we had to mark ‘homegrown’ on the squad lists submitted to ERL/IRL and vaguely remember working to a number. As you say, it’d be madness to then knock that on the head come the final event - but then… Lebanon, Cook Islanfs cough cough

Yes most probably however from memory last years World Cup qualifiers required a 40% or 50% home grown quota

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jamaica-rugbyworld?utm_medium=CR&utm_source=WA A shame that they have to but nonetheless if you have anything to spare they’re a worthy cause to give to in Rugby League terms.

Great work by Wales RL again. Great to see the rugby league family of all ages come together down here for a festival like day. WRL Confetence down to 5 teams after Saints, Cardiff and West Wales withdrew. Torfaen (traditionally strong) not entering - 3 of their mainstays are now playing at Bristol All Golds instead. Juniors continues to thrive and the pathway is working - countless south (and north!) Wales kids heading into super league scholarships and academies year on year. The transition to community men’s remains difficult.

Any news on international fixtures this year mate?

Da iawn boyo. Keep spreading the word.

I wonder if it’s more to entice the neutral in who’s after value for money? A family from Guildford caught some of the Final enjoyed it and then see such a deal - they’re in, bargain! FWIW I don’t disagree with you, just think that’s RLC’s aim here - bargain for the neutral sports watcher.

Read somewhere they were taking 3,000 - clearly not.

A very, very good half of Rugby League - a brilliant final so far. Time to retire Jiffy however, he’s spouting some dross.

There’s a slight difference though. We aren’t talking uprooting decades/centuries of history in moving an established club to a whole new city. We’re instead talking about an international U19s tournament being in hosted in a place with top quality facilities for 200+ athletes and support staff. The prospect of a few dozen extra ‘fans’ from rugby league areas turning up to watch does nothing to convince me it’s worth the risk of going to a basic venue in lieu of housing athletes all in one place, with medical facilities in house and consequently far less transport logistics to consider. France’s hosting of the World Cup qualifiers last autumn was borderline farcical - ask anyone from the Wales and Serbia camps especially, the organisation and logistics were terrible. Too many moving parts that France couldn’t cope with. Even at just 4 teams! It gives me comfort to see they’ve hopefully learned their error in having this tournament hosted in one place, a place more importantly that can cope with the rigours of elite expectations.

This all bodes well. Worth mentioning that Bristol All Golds and Swindon St George are both fielding junior teams in the south Wales league also.

I’ll assume it’s Alan Walsh’s son - the coach of Lezignan. I’m pretty sure Alan posts on here ocassionally

The original squad they named for the tournament was 18 heritage, 7 domestic

https://wrl.wales/junior-league-tables For anyone interested, this year is possibly the biggest spread we’ve ever had across age groups - typically it’s been U12s, U14s, U16s but now we’re seeing leagues for the in between age groups pop up due to increased participation numbers.

Currently watching the U18s on the YouTube stream (good quality). Wales 26-6 currently. All bar one are domestic products for Wales, Charlie Newton of Huddersfield Giants the exception.

In anticipation of the usual questions: 6 of the named 20 for Wales are heritage. Sadly I was unable to make it down so can’t comment on the game itself. U18s just about kicked off. At U14s level, East Wales played West Wales (origin style selection from community clubs) - ended 20-20 draw.

It’ll quite possibly be the last time Lebanon are in a World Cup for the foreseeable future. They’re only competing in 2026 as they were quarter finalists in 2022. Future world cups are only open to full members - Lebanon are not this and are some way off it. Criteria includes domestic adult competition, domestic junior competitions and X amount of games outside of world cups. I imagine RLWC 2030 will see the top 8 of in the world rankings automatically qualify - remember Troy Grant said rankings will be if more value in future. The final two spots will be decided by World Cup Qualifiers and then the World Series (again only open to full members) If 2030 was tomorrow we’d see these 8 automatics: - Australia - NZ - England - Tonga - Samoa - PNG - Fiji - France 2 qualifiers from the following: - Wales - Serbia - Ukraine - South Africa - Jamaica - Cook Islands

Jordan Pereira? He played WA A-Grade also im sure

I vaguely remember his Mrs shopping him around on Facebook rugby union recruitment groups.

Manly Sea Eagles cap and vest in north Devon over bank holiday weekend.

Correct. I spoke recently with Robbie’s dad, he wore a Welsh jersey when we spoke - his grandad played for Wales. I suppose it’s all about what you define as Welsh/English/Scottish/Dutch in any case. Nationality is a funny thing.