fighting irish

I thought that was a very interesting aspect of his approach too. Anyway, what great weekend for exposure to the general public. Two great games. Very intense, highly skilled, loads of heavy bumps and perhaps the highlight of the weekend, Ashton's incredible acrobatic try in the corner! Just a few words on Warrington - I didn't even recognise half the players, a collection of young fellas absolutely ''mad for it''. Their dogged defense eventually undermined Saints confidence as their usual bullying/muscle tactics didn't seem to be enough. Add in the skill and pace of Warrington's back-line, marshalled by Walker and Williams who contributed to out smarting Saints at every turn and it all made for a very very entertaining match. If those two games don't draw in some new committed fans, I'll eat my hat.

Oh, so that's not the reason they are going back to the Stoop then? (or is it?)

How long do they have to play elsewhere to allow for the re-seeding?

Why aren't they playing it at Wimbledon?

Why is it, that no-one (at the RFL) thinks this is important enough to get it right? We will never prosper, while we treat customers with such contempt. I could cry.

I wonder if these appointments are linked (or will become important) to the establishment of the recently rumoured NRL America professional franchised competition? I must say I'm very excited about the involvement of the NRL in the USA (something I've been advocating for a number of years) and can't wait to see how it all progresses. I'm convinced that the combination of a great product (surely the best) with some really professional marketing and hard won, real world, business acumen is bound to succeed. Bring it on.

Thanks for the advice. It's always good to hear from someone with real experience of the travel company. Useful comments also, on the England games locations.

Great!

Where's he gone? Dean Buchan I mean? Has he raised his head above the parapet since?

It did hit his head.

Tell that to the European Super League, who want to keep the game in the four quadrants defined by the pennines and the M62.

All good news from over there. Thanks for keeping us in the picture.

Makes perfect sense to me. Unless they're afraid New Zealand will become too strong.

Thanks for the clarification. It's pretty much what I thought you meant. I wasn't trying to criticise you but merely to seek clarity. My reference to ridicule, abuse and ostracism was a dig at what seems to be going on in Ireland and Scotland. Where the self-appointed authorities tread on the tiny seedlings and grass roots, at the most vital time in their development. A time when nurturing those seedlings is absolutely essential. Our own (the established nations fans) treatment of these new enthusiasts, also leaves a lot to be desired. Many's the time I've heard (here) talk of ''minnows'' in the game (that in itself is contemptuous of our own (RL's) enthusiasts, often struggling on their own, to establish the game in their own neck of the woods). Other's discount their efforts as worthless because they can't compete with the established Nations. Heaven help us. We've all got to start somewhere. I'm just arguing that we should treasure these newcomers to our game, no matter at what stage of development. We should stop expecting miracles and insisting they rush the process, just to please us. We should instead be thanking them and saying a silent prayer for more of them. We need all the help we can get. Let's hope there's lots more to come. On a personal note, I think you and I are far more alike than different. It's clear you love the game. So if nothing else, we have that in common.

I find this post a bit confusing 'Arry. At first you seem to imply that the international game would be almost non-existent if not for the allowance of heritage players (which may be true). I interpreted that as if you thought to forbid the inclusion of heritage players was a huge negative for the game. Then your last line is unclarified, but seems to suggest that it was never right to include them in the first place, please clarify? It seems clear to me that the use of heritage players (certainly as far as Ireland and Scotland) has allowed them to compete in our World Cups but has demonstrably hindered (nay destroyed) aspects of the development of the game locally and succeeded in insulting the players and volunteer organisers to boot! I think we need to ensure that all our actions (in the short term) move us towards our long term goals, however long that takes and we take great care, to do nothing to move us in the opposite direction. Every effort to short-circuit the process inevitably takes us away from our long term goals. Having said that, the growth of the grass roots game, should always take priority (when resources are meagre). All our experience to date, shows that establishing a ''glamour'' team in a wilderness just doesn't provoke a significant, spontaneous demand amongst amateur players and supporters to be part of this great game. Development comes from unearthing enthusiasts, with enough enthusiasm to make the effort to organise teams for themselves, with nothing more than the desire to play (or watch) as motivation. Treat them with respect, treat them like their dreams and desires to be involved are legitimate and worthy (no matter how ''good'' at RL they are) and if you can't help them, at least provide some encouragement and take care not to ridicule, abuse, and ostracise them. Is anything I've said here contentious? controversial? I'd argue absolutely not. My big concern is why it needs to be said, to RL people, at all.