Chris22

From a purely selfish perspective, I hope the RFL are holding back some Everton tickets for general sale. I didn't sign up for pre sale thinking this is Rugby League and there is no need. Maybe I have been burned but wonderful news for the game if so because it will encourage more to buy early in future (me included!) If it does sell out, looks like I'll head to the Wembley test instead, which is hardly a bad back up option!

Still shaking my head at that decision not to kick an easy penalty only to go and immediately concede at the other end. It's not like we are exceptional at scoring points and we turn down easy points in this wind. Terrible captaincy from Lomax not to take control and make sure we kicked.

Consider it done!

A lot of the talk on this thread has been about McManus' comments but by comparison to what Brian Carney said on Sky Sports on Friday night, McManus' remarks are totally irrelevant. Whilst broadcasting, Carney said that what is going to happen to the sport in the next weeks and months are going to make the change to Super League in 1995 / 1996 "look like a teddy bear's picnic". That period of time was the most significant in the sport in this country since 1895. And Carney has stated that what is coming, essentially, makes that look small fry. For me, this is a major talking point, even though he was coy about what he has actually heard is happening.

Some pretty poor crowds so far this weekend. Saints' crowds have been poor this year. We usually get an uptick for the first home match but that didn't really happen and given that we were 3 from 3 and it was a top of the table clash against Hull KR, I'd have expected more than 11K (lower than our average crowd last year).

If Headingley is the most suitable venue in Yorkshire, then a test should not be held in the county. The other two venues are great choices. I'm trying not to do the usual rugby league thing and be negative so I'll focus on the other two venues more and look forward to going to at least one of those.

This is why our TV deal is dropping. If I was running BBC sport, I'd be questioning why we were paying to broadcast this sport? If Salford are doing this to spite the RFL, it is shameful. Given the squad named last week compared to this under the same restrictions, the decision to name this squad and portray us terribly on national TV is an active choice. And it is not Salford who will come across badly to a national audience, it's the sport as a whole.

I think you're about right with Saints, sales looking pretty strong. Could be as high as 15K with a fair wind.

My expectation for Saints is: Welsby Feldt Hurrell Percival Murphy Sailor Lomax Walmsley Clark Lees Sironen Batchelor Knowles Paasi Bell Delaney Mbye With everyone fit, there are choices to make. Whitley is the obvious one and there is competition in the second row spot with both him and Batchelor ending last season in poor form. Wingfield is back from injury and is a good player but he'll have to work his way back in. Noah Stephens will get plenty of playing time too. Robertson will probably be first reserve for anywhere in the back line, including half backs meaning Bennison and Ritson will fall down the pecking order. Many of our fans are excited about a half back called George Whitby who played once last year. He's still a little young but may make a handful of appearances Rumours abound that Percival and Walmsley are at least not 100% fit for round 1. If that's right Robertson would probably come in at #3, Delaney would start for Walmsley and Stephens to the bench. Our lack of depth at centre is very worrying as is the fact that Hurrell is a starter. Our pack looks ok on paper but I am a little worried whether Walmsley's and Paasi's fitness. Again, good depth in the back row but several players need to step up this year. Excited about our new wingers. But I think Sailor at #6 could be a star. If his running game is as good as I hope, that may free up space Welsby (who was targeted heavily last year as he was our only creative player). I am worried that time has caught up with Lomax though and don't rule out Wellens may have to make a big call on him at some point this year. With so many variables, not a clue how we will do this year!

There are signs for and against how seriously the RFL take the international game. The mid season international against France last year was a real low but the French authorities share responsibility for that. The pricing for the last World Cup and some venue choices were poor. But I think that was a mistake rather than not taking internationals seriously. On balance, I think the RFL do take it seriously. But there is limited interest in mid season matches against France. If reports are correct, we have paid or partially paid for Tonga and Samoa to travel last year, which isn't the action of an organisation which doesn't take the international game seriously. The biggest issue is the lack of willing opponents, particularly in the Northern hemisphere which makes organising meaningful internationals really tricky.

Salford scored 2.15 out of 4.5 for finances in this year's grading. The same as its indicative score in 2023. This seems high given they were in special measures months later.

We are now between stages 4 and 1 of the Challenge Cup cycle!

I haven't seen that, have you got a link to the comments?

There's plenty of legitimate criticism to make of the RFL but this isn't one of them in my view. The ARL drop on us that if we want this series to go ahead then have to host it, in November 2024. These things take time to organise, two months isn't long to sort venues, times, broadcast arrangements etc. Not ideal but not on the RFL.

An excellent speech by Peet too. A great speaker and magnificent ambassador for the sport.

In my era of watching the sport, it was post-2013 World Cup. We posted big crowds in the heartlands for matches that we didn't expect. Good crowds in Bristol and for the semi final at Wembley and an international record crowd for the World Cup final at Old Trafford despite England not being there. The tournament was thrilling too and it felt to me like we could have kicked on from then. Naturally, England didn't play another home international for two years and that opportunity was lost.

Story now deleted, very strange!

Staggering the fixtures is great for TV viewers but bad for match going fans. Playing in five or six different slots instead of a regular match isn't ideal. I'm relieved that Saints have got lucky with most still on Friday nights.

I don't recall Shaw breaking embargo before? Can anyone give an example?

First round always gets higher than normal crowds so the lack of blockbuster fixtures is a good thing in my view.

I do agree with some criticism of league express' output on occasions, but this is not one of them. As far as I can see, they were the first media organisation to report the RFL's refusal to arbitration. It is fair to ask why they have refused. There may be a reasonable reason such as the appeals process is not exhausted. I also think it is fair to question why the RFL could not adduce potentially relevant correspondence in this case. Or how well thought through the judgement was when it was riddled with typos. Having not seen the full evidence, it is difficult to judge whether the decision reached is correct and you have to have some faith that a correct conclusion has been reached. Aston has the right to appeal. And the media has the right to report on matters arising from this case, with a critical eye, in my view.

What about this highlight?

The Sun reporting DW Stadium, Headingley or Elland Road and Tottenham or Wembley the likely venues.

I do get that point but the grading handbook states that a side with a grade a score is guaranteed a place in Super League. There is no ambiguity, no room for movement, no suggestion that this is limited to a specific number of teams. I do not believe we can start to pick and choose which criteria we choose to apply. Whilst I think it unlikely, if a side gets a grade a score and misses out, if the grading handbook remains unamended, I think they have a good chance at successfully challenging using the arbitration procedures provided for.

https://www.totalrl.com/rl-commercial-chief-on-potential-14-team-super-league-and-img-grading-system/ Having looked at those comments he doesn't guarantee a spot but does seem to suggest expansion if there were more than 12 grade A teams. But regardless of who said what, a situation where RFL staff / IMG say one thing and criteria say the opposite is, at best, not ideal.