tiffers

I have to say I disagree there. I think our lack of action on the field with regards to internationals has caused this huge gulf in quality, resources and indirectly weakened our game. I firmly believe we need to be playing more internationals at all levels. If nothing else, it allows those countries to get a regular calendar and work at smaller levels with sponsors/corporates etc. This strategy builds longer term to generate consistency, stablility and provides a basis for growth to build revenues from. I dont think we need to be focused on filling huge grounds to start with (for most NH countries). Yes the comeptitions/games need to be profitable. But a minor profit for Greece or Italy that we would no doubt turn our noses up at in England, would go a long way to growing the game in that country. It could pay for new equipment for the amateur game or help finance the national teams to tour somewhere else and further monetise the international game. The key thing is that the expectations we set for England & French international revenues will be different to Serbia. We have seen the results of inaction, unwillingness and snobbery from the top tier nations. We are at a tipping point for RL's international scene. We have to get more internationals rolling.

We have to go so much further than adding Toulouse. We need a proper NH growth strategy focused on the long-term development of the UK game (might I add that Toulouse being in SL is a must and I do agree with that being the short term decision that needs to be made ASAP), whilst building a NH international calendar to support developing nations. It's about creating a perpetually increasing circle of: International matches = profits for IRL & individual federations = funding elite & amateur RL = increasing volumes of players = increasing volumes of talent = International matches.... Until we get this started, rolling and building, we will never consistently match the SH.

and this is what will strangle RL in a professional guise in the NH. IF there is no international scene. What does this mean for players? You hear it time and time again that international RL is the pinnacle of the game and drives a lot of players' ambitions in the UK... So if there is no international calendar. No England/GB tours and tournaments. What happens to those players? Suck it up and accept club RL is as good as it gets... No doubt you'll see a number move to RU (a la RTS). Further weakening our club game and the spiral takes effect. Reduced star names, reduced incomes and a slow painful demise. Or do we get some kind of consensus today with the RFL meeting. Some kind of rally from all stakeholders in the UK (&France) that understand we have to do this ourselves. We have to lead the way and think about the bigger picture to ensure that RL grows in the UK, in the NH and support a structure that allows for it. Personally, I havent seen many examples of it being the latter in my lifetime in RL and that is what makes this all so very sad... Do I think we are capable of the change needed to do this? Probably not is my honest answer at this moment.

Which is fine if you are Lattrell Mitchell... if you're a fringe player then that is a whole different ball game to be one of the first to step up. We need the stars to step up now. It's despicable that the NRL and clubs have put these players in this position.

If the RLWC can still convince the players to come, ignoring their employers wishes, then we need to give the players the biggest plaudits and a huge reception when they take the field. It is a brave decision to step up against your employer. They all have families, mortgages and an income to earn... threatening the biggest payday of your lifetime (for most) is a big step! Putting that on the line deserves a huge round of applause at the very least!

The fact that Woman's Rugby League is so far down the NRL website menu (you need to click on "more" button BTW) tells you everything about where they hold it in esteem to the Men...

Completely agree, it is a necessity both for development and financial reasons! For me Toulouse in SL is a must to further push the above.

24hrs on and the dust far from settling, I am very, very disappointed. If we can keep in the PI teams then we need to proceed with the tournament. We have to make a stand. But dont be fooled that getting the tournament on is the end of this. We need fundamental change. If this isnt the catalyst we need to ensure we have a regular NH series and competition and look to capitlise then we are doomed. The control over SH RL shown by the NRL, for their own means, ensures we cannot and probably will not trust them for a very long time. I do not see an Eng vs. Aus series for a very long time indeed and do we seriously think they will treat a French world cup in 2025 with any more respect? Already a risky venture for FFR, it just got a whole lot more risky. We have to use this emotion and motivation in the right way and build NH International RL. Yes, it might not draw the same level of crowds and interest to start with. But we need to find a way to financially support other international federations alongside our own RFL if we really want RL to develop across Europe and the NH. The last 24hrs has proven this is the only trustworthy way to drive revenues, awareness and a longer term future for international RL.

Is this our opportunity, given the amount of emotion on here alone, to 1) sell more tickets to the home audience that are mostly incensed and want to support NH RL and stick a finger up to the NRL? 2) push this to a wider audience in the UK? Could we capitalise on all this PR and sell a few more tickets? Esp. as the general public may get behind an England team with a very good chance of winning it... I suppose it depends on whether we can prove its still a legitimate product. To sponsors, the media, fans.