OL14.yeds

Very difficult to pick a 17 as there’s a lot more strength in depth this year, especially in the forwards. However I would have thought Kirk would be in with a chance of being in the starting 13, possibly along side Nelmes in the props. Can’t wait for the friendlies to start!

Looks like good value to me. And I like how they’ve put one game on after another so you can watch each one, and done the same for the league games on Easter weekend. I’ve had no issues using the app on the missus’ tablet, so I’m looking forward to it.

Challenge Cup 1st round game vs Barrow is a 12:45 kickoff and live on the OuRLeague App. Pay per view, but free if you’ve bought a season ticket. Looks like OuRLeague will show all the games throughout the weekend, bar West Wales vs Widnes and Fev vs Bradford, which the BBC are showing. https://www.rugby-league.com/article/57675/spring-streaming-bonanza-to-kick-off-the--season-?fbclid=IwAR3vVMgl8SOVqElNvj7bSWX2afcOo8GXk1XcaK5GD3GXiI2H_8WW9uxHESg Looks like they’re doing similar for the first round of league games.

Oldham too are much better prepared after getting promoted via the play-offs in 2019, and therefore starting recruitment late. Some good business has been done, especially in the pack. The battle at the bottom end will be interesting.

Similar for Malaga and Alicante, there is thousands of ex-pats in those areas, so a competitive Spanish league would hopefully drum-up some good support. I know Union has a decent presence in Andalusia, and the leagues there has just restarted after a COVID break.

I actually enjoy BT’s coverage of football and find it far better than Sky’s, of which I can’t stand (opinions eh?).. I’m no fan of Union, but BT do big-up their coverage a lot. The personalities on there are a bit dull, but they seem to give it far more respect than Sky do with RL.

Looks like they’ve set up a structure and they’re going to try and remain flexible with it. If they’re going to film every game and make them available to stream, with income for the clubs, and hopefully in a decent quality, it’s only a good thing.

I have BT Sport at home, and I’ve just had a go at seeing if Wasps vs Montpellier would quench my thirst for some live rugby action. The spectacle on the field is terrible (with my RL-tinted glasses on, obviously) but otherwise, I thought the whole production is a bit flat. I know folk moan about the likes of Phil Clarke and Tez and Baz, but that Union lot could talk a glass eye to sleep.

I remember listening to a podcast recently which focused on marketing in the game, and during live coverage the sponsor on the backside of the shorts was the one most seen after the main shirt ad. I imagine clubs can charge a decent fee for it.

It’s a good day out at Halifax. The Shay is a nice stadium, there’s some good pubs and it’s stumbling distance from the train station.

Oldham’s 2021 home shirt.

Deary me...

Emphasis on the ‘Giants’ too, seems the way the league is going.

This is the one, they’ve just uploaded it to their Facebook profile.

Sky Sports had Hudds’ logo as a slightly different one to those above in their league table last night. Can’t find it online, but it was another adaptation of the main one.