17 stone giant

If it's going to be spreadsheet rugby, let's fully embrace it. The Excel Super League (ESL), sponsored by Microsoft.

Not sure, sorry. It was on Podcast15 at around 30 minute mark.

Not sure if it's already been mentioned/discussed in the previous 94 pages, but in the recent podcast Martyn Saddler talked about the idea of the lowest Grade B team being relegated from SL next season, as opposed to it being definitely London because of the gradings thing. So it would be the lowest placed out of Salford, Castleford, Leigh, London, and Huddersfield.

Before my time, but I looked it up on the brilliant www.rugbyleagueproject.org 1986 Mar 19th Leeds W 5 - 0 Widnes - G. Kershaw Leeds 15,710 I think the other one you mention is probably: 1989 Feb 26th Leeds L 4 - 24 Widnes - J. Holdsworth Leeds 26,303 I do enjoy a good browse of old results and stats.

How did Wigan miss out on him? Did they just overlook him as a youngster?

With an East v West Allstars game?

Seems like positive news. Here's hoping for a good crowd and two England wins.

Watched the Lionesses tonight - good game, but not a great result. Great through ball for the Belgian goal, and there was I thought an even better through ball that led to another Belgian chance. What interests me is that England are the Team GB nominated team to qualify for the Olympics. I believe that we now need to beat Netherlands by more than 1 goal, and then Scotland, in order for Team GB to qualify. I think that last game could prove a bit controversial, given that both countries are also part of Team GB. If Scotland win and it stops GB from qualifying, that's a bit weird. But if England win, whatever country misses out will probably say it's a bit of a GB stitch up.

I see. 2025 is when Australia would be missing, so is that likely to be the thing that prevents it from happening?

Tuigamala. Iconic player. Gone too soon.

I thought Philip Ranulph de Glanville looked tough in that Wigan v Bath game.

Is the Pacific tournament a permanent thing now? (like the six nations in rugby union) Will it be played every year apart from World Cup years? Obviously with minor tinkering such as teams missing a year because they're touring or hosting England.

I understand what you're saying and I can empathise with Catalans to a certain extent, but when you're looking at it from the outside, it makes rugby league look incredibly small time, doesn't it?

So what home games will we get in 2025 and 2026 (assuming WC is in southern hemisphere)? France mid season?

Even number of teams makes more sense. With you on GB though.

If anything, wouldn't the Americans most likely compare it to NFL? If they do, rugby league will appear fast and flowing as a result, even if it's less so than 20 years ago.

40000 AUD for a Kangaroos World Cup appearance, but only 3000 AUD for an Kangaroos appearance outside of a World Cup? Why such a big difference? (apart from the reason you allude to) As a player you're not going to feel great about playing in a World Cup Final one year for 40000, and then the following year playing in the Pacific Comp for 3000. Or have I misunderstood something?

Yes, sure. Sorry, I was thinking the question meant a return to the Aus, NZ, Eng/GB and one other 4N from a few years back. They'll probably do what you describe next year, if Samoa don't come here instead. That's what the Pacific thing was initially intended to to be, right? We just stole/borrowed Tonga this year, so they only had 3 teams.

What 'event' things did they do then that they aren't doing now? I noticed things like: Big flags on the pitch Someone in a Lion costume A choir and a couple of anthem singers The Mayor of Wigan None of that would seem impossible to do today. Of course, the 'against Australia for The Ashes' part is the real key here, isn't it?

Yes, that and The Ashes. I'm sure the 4N will be played again one day, but when that will be and whether it will be a regular thing, I have no idea.

I haven't heard the word wazzock since Ian Botham called someone (Willie Carson?) it on Question of Sport. Glad to see it's still being used.

I think they need to look at having alcohol sections/rows at matches, because I agree that it's incredibly annoying. The first experience I had of it was watching rugby union at the Spurs Stadium - having to constantly stand up to let someone past with a drink or to go to the toilet. Like you say, you can't see the action for 10 or so seconds while you're faffing about. Plus I was there with my dad who is registered disabled and he shouldn't have to keep standing up every couple of minutes because someone wants a pint! It's fine at cricket because people can move about between overs and there are other natural delays (wickets) that mean it's not so obstructive. It's definitely something they've got to look at it, because it really put me off. Just have different areas or rows for people that want different things. It's surely not that difficult to find a solution that allows everyone to maximise their enjoyment.

Is the above likely to affect the chances of Samoa visiting next year? What will we do instead if that option isn't now viable?

Are they showing England matches on the Comedy Channel yet? It's so bad there's no point doing anything but laugh. 129 all out! Maybe they're making the point that they don't like playing cricket for 50 overs.