Tommygilf

https://x.com/EaglesChat1984/status/1938281983731228891?t=_V-NYW0rf4bDIbJlFYJSNQ&s=19 This account is live tweeting the questions and answers really thoroughly

https://x.com/SheffieldEagles/status/1938281334373552144?t=0k3V4360mnRmhVY-ZjRK4g&s=19

The email is there?

Sounds great. Leeds weren't really switched onto this sort of outlet in the Headingley redevelopment. It has all seemed to be around (genuinely world class) corporate facilities, but for normal punters the matchday has been pretty average for a while now. They have improved food and drink somewhat, but there's no dedicated facility like this.

Hmmmm

I think it just sets up future issues tbh. It would be a classic Nigel Wood try please everyone job though.

The unequal members of the same league idea is doomed to fail imo, English or French. The whole "you get no sky money" is also an atrocious way to set things up.

I suspect you are right. Unfortunately I don't think either the money available to play with or the commercial realities will make this happen. I suspect we will end up with a bodge, 14 teams, 2 of those 14 on less money than the rest, Catalans potentially on even less than that, because as you say the status quo (at least in terms of ownership) will be the preferred model. The quota point shouts to the short termism endemic in the sport.

None are planned at the moment. Though based on nothing but speculation I'd imagine England women vs Somebody (probably Wales) at Headingley isn't completely unlikely.

In fairness, Belle Vue and even Wheldon Road aren't turds, they were/are just severely underinvested in for half a century and it showed. They're a reminder of what can and indeed must be done on a continual basis.

@Harry Stottle A bodge to try please as many people as possible, but not really satisfying anyone long term and doomed to failure, straight out of the Wood playbook.

I understand there's a lot of upset over the players that left and why though.

It's for another thread I guess Harry I'll reply there

I totally agree, but there is a suggestion that this is one of the proposed "solutions".

You could apparently pay the 2 additional sides less central funds...

I think there will be an element of both, so like Question time "sanatised" questions on a given topic followed by the floor. Not sure what the expected numbers are for this one.

There's a risk of these things descending into farce tbf, with a few loud shouty voices. Question Time is better for a bit of preselection of questions from the audience so there's a fair spread of topics. There is a chance that this turns into an "Aston woz robbed" dominated thing for example rather than a mix of discussion about the realities at the Eagles, like the coaching set up, squad turnover, even the proposed new ground at the Transport Club.

Security won't let me in!

Do you have any faith in that ever being productive? The only way I can see that working is if the League/RFL buys at least significant minority holdings in each club and runs it like a US sport. Any opportunity a group of clubs get to break away will be taken if they have the option otherwise.

The sport has a massive perception issue that it is a game followed by northern thickos. This doesn't help at all with that.

Its basic respect between clubs in the League, and seems to have a bit more significance at Catalans given the tourists/hosts international element. When I played (much lower level) RU for example, the meal after the game in things like this was the most important part in building links and the whole game ethos. Add to that Beaumont's supposed comments about Catalans in his support for the Coup. Add to that him being on Catalans' pitch without permission with a bloke with a drum. I can see why he'd not be welcome back at the Brutus.

Call me cynical but this has been tried at SL and Championship level before and rejected because clubs preferred commercial independence. Heck even the IMG compromise is effectively a result of this. And even if it did happen, how does it stop 1 or more clubs doing a U-Turn (in rugby league who would think?!) and breaking such a thing? How does this plan effect Super League vs Championship and League 1 for example?