Would a Yorkshire vs Lancashire game in 2024 be that bad an idea?

[Yorky]

Morning All,

I'm expecting to get shot down here but as someone who is a relatively new fan of the sport I have to ask the question!

With the disappointment of the Samoa series falling through, everyone is putting suggestions forward as for what can replace it. I have read the talk of Yorks vs Lancs on lots of threads but the idea generally seems to be dismissed. What was the game like in previous years? Competitive or a post season friendly style pace? Good crowds or bad?

As a Yorkshireman my self (All be it living elsewhere now) I'm well aware of the historic rivalry between the 2 counties which always adds a bit of edge in sports - I totally get that in an ideal world we would be getting Competitive international games and all focus should be on that, but in the absence of this would a battle of the roses really be such a bad idea?

Maybe 2 games, 1 in Yorkshire, 1 in Lancashire? If its a game that hasn't been played in years it might capture a bit of imagination among the fans

[Dovster]

7 minutes ago, Yorky said:

Morning All,

I'm expecting to get shot down here but as someone who is a relatively new fan of the sport I have to ask the question!

With the disappointment of the Samoa series falling through, everyone is putting suggestions forward as for what can replace it. I have read the talk of Yorks vs Lancs on lots of threads but the idea generally seems to be dismissed. What was the game like in previous years? Competitive or a post season friendly style pace? Good crowds or bad?

As a Yorkshireman my self (All be it living elsewhere now) I'm well aware of the historic rivalry between the 2 counties which always adds a bit of edge in sports - I totally get that in an ideal world we would be getting Competitive international games and all focus should be on that, but in the absence of this would a battle of the roses really be such a bad idea?

Maybe 2 games, 1 in Yorkshire, 1 in Lancashire? If its a game that hasn't been played in years it might capture a bit of imagination among the fans

I think if a suitable opponent can't be found for England, this is the next best idea. Also include Women and Wheelchair 

It does work in Aus.

[Archie Gordon]

Rename SL as the Northern Union and job done.

[Coggo]

Yes. A men’s, women’s and wheelchair Wars of the Roses is staring us in the face. 

[Harry Stottle]

15 minutes ago, Yorky said:

Morning All,

I'm expecting to get shot down here but as someone who is a relatively new fan of the sport I have to ask the question!

With the disappointment of the Samoa series falling through, everyone is putting suggestions forward as for what can replace it. I have read the talk of Yorks vs Lancs on lots of threads but the idea generally seems to be dismissed. What was the game like in previous years? Competitive or a post season friendly style pace? Good crowds or bad?

As a Yorkshireman my self (All be it living elsewhere now) I'm well aware of the historic rivalry between the 2 counties which always adds a bit of edge in sports - I totally get that in an ideal world we would be getting Competitive international games and all focus should be on that, but in the absence of this would a battle of the roses really be such a bad idea?

Maybe 2 games, 1 in Yorkshire, 1 in Lancashire? If its a game that hasn't been played in years it might capture a bit of imagination among the fans

No it won't work, not that I would not want it to, but it would be a better more competitive game if approached with the right attitude than an England v France waste of time.

[RugbyLeagueGeek]

I think it would probably be more popular amongst RL fans than England playing a weak opponent, but it would gain zero traction with the wider public, and likely zero media attention outside of the RL press.

[Phil]

No, Qld and NSW genuinely hate each other, Yorks V Lancs is a bit of banter.

There wouldn’t be a crowd, it’s a money pit 

[Coggo]

In a parallel universe, the Wars of the Roses is an established fixture of the British sporting calendar.

On here, we discuss this year’s wildcard picks and question whether someone is truly Yorkshire-qualified or whether his grandad just went to Scarborough on his summer holiday.

In this universe, however, Samoa has declined an offer to tour England. Sad times indeed

 

[crashmon]

45 minutes ago, Yorky said:

Morning All,

I'm expecting to get shot down here but as someone who is a relatively new fan of the sport I have to ask the question!

With the disappointment of the Samoa series falling through, everyone is putting suggestions forward as for what can replace it. I have read the talk of Yorks vs Lancs on lots of threads but the idea generally seems to be dismissed. What was the game like in previous years? Competitive or a post season friendly style pace? Good crowds or bad?

As a Yorkshireman my self (All be it living elsewhere now) I'm well aware of the historic rivalry between the 2 counties which always adds a bit of edge in sports - I totally get that in an ideal world we would be getting Competitive international games and all focus should be on that, but in the absence of this would a battle of the roses really be such a bad idea?.

Maybe 2 games, 1 in Yorkshire, 1 in Lancashire? If its a game that hasn't been played in years it might capture a bit of imagination among the fans

Financially it would be a huge loss maker

Also I very much doubt anybody would cover it other than Sky.  If you got more thr 5K crowds I'd be astonished?

[Henson Park Old Firm]

WOR should be played by players from Championship and League 1 with Lancs, York's and Cumbs playing in a 3 way series.

[Gooleboy]

The Rodstock War of the Roses games around the late 80s did get some decent crowds. The issue was Yorkshire won them all, the game didn't seem as much to the Lancashire boys as as it did to the Yorkshire players. Credit though to Peter Fox who used to really get his players fired up for it, despite Lancashire arguably having a better squad to pick from.

[GeordieSaint]

Can’t wait for the season to start again… the deja vu in the off season is always the hardest time of the year. 

[JM2010]

If it was to happen should Cumbria play London/SE at the same time or do we just let Knowles, KPP,  McMeeken etc play for either Yorks or Lancs?

Edited November 11, 2023 by JM2010

[crashmon]

26 minutes ago, RugbyLeagueGeek said:

I think it would probably be more popular amongst RL fans than England playing a weak opponent, but it would gain zero traction with the wider public, and likely zero media attention outside of the RL press.

I think it would probably be more popular amongst RL fans in a small narrow corridor in the M62 than England playing a weak opponent, but it would gain zero traction with the wider public, and likely zero media attention outside of the RL press.

Fixed it for you

This insularity of RL fans in the heartlands is astounding.  Who in the world outside of the M62 gives a monkeys about Lancs vs Yorks.   It would not even get mentioned in the national press, it woudl be that much small beer?

[Barley Mow]

This is what I posted on another thread a few hours ago:

If bringing the NRL players back for it adds interest, it might be worthwhile.

Maybe I'm in a small minority, but I'd pay to watch this:

Pryce, Young, King, Newman, Johnstone, Lewis, Abdull, Warmsley, Clark, Burgess, McMeeken (Cas connection), Bateman, Radley (father a Yorkshireman)

Versus

Welsby, Makinson, Farnworth, Watkins, Marshall, Williams, Smith, Hill, Walker, Lees, Currie, Farrell, Knowles.

I'd say that's more attractive and less likely to lose money than flying Lebanon in from Australia.

[JM2010]

1 minute ago, crashmon said:

I think it would probably be more popular amongst RL fans in a small narrow corridor in the M62 than England playing a weak opponent, but it would gain zero traction with the wider public, and likely zero media attention outside of the RL press.

Fixed it for you

This insularity of RL fans in the heartlands is astounding.  Who in the world outside of the M62 gives a monkeys about Lancs vs Yorks.   It would not even get mentioned in the national press, it woudl be that much small beer?

I don’t think England international fixtures get much press either. 3 x 50 point floggings of France would do more harm than good 

[Archie Gordon]

If there's a worse idea than bringing back Yorkshire v Lancashire, it is allowing guests from Cumbria, London/SE and South Wales to play in them. Awful.

[crashmon]

Just now, JM2010 said:

I don’t think England international fixtures get much press either. 3 x 50 point floggings of France would do more harm than good 

not disagreeing

But ANY england game vs any other valid international side would get more press and awareness than two counties playing each other. And the BBC is likely to show an ENgalnd game, they would never show a game between two counties.

it just goes from 0.5% of perception (Lancs vs Yorks) to mayber 5% of perception (England)

[Spidey]

Yes terrible idea

[Anita Bath]

4 minutes ago, Barley Mow said:

This is what I posted on another thread a few hours ago:

If bringing the NRL players back for it adds interest, it might be worthwhile.

Maybe I'm in a small minority, but I'd pay to watch this:

Pryce, Young, King, Newman, Johnstone, Lewis, Abdull, Warmsley, Clark, Burgess, McMeeken (Cas connection), Bateman, Radley (father a Yorkshireman)

Versus

Welsby, Makinson, Farnworth, Watkins, Marshall, Williams, Smith, Hill, Walker, Lees, Currie, Farrell, Knowles.

I'd say that's more attractive and less likely to lose money than flying Lebanon in from Australia.

That of course assumes the top players would make themselves available as opposed to using the superleague free weekend to recharge their batteries.

[gingerjon]

4 minutes ago, Archie Gordon said:

If there's a worse idea than bringing back Yorkshire v Lancashire, it is allowing guests from Cumbria, London/SE and South Wales to play in them. Awful.

43 years of professional rugby league in London and still treated like guests at the party.

See also the M62 clubs deciding that a few trips to Cornwall for some of them is an idea that is beyond the Pale.

[crashmon]

What I'm not understanding is what is the aim here?

• If the aim is to make the RFL money then I don't see any option which is not a loss maker, so then I would just not play an England game in 2024
• If the aim is to grow the England brand, then I would play one game vs France and one vs another international team (wales maybe not sure).  Or I would have ENgland see if they can go down under and join the bowl comp with PNG and Fiji
• If the aim is to have the top england players have a decent hit out, then maybe a Lancs v Yorks or more likely a England vs Combined nations no NRL players made up 13 team might be the option

But if the major concern is money, then I really feel we should just skip 2024 from an England perspective

 

[Archie Gordon]

2 minutes ago, crashmon said:

What I'm not understanding is what is the aim here?

• If the aim is to make the RFL money then I don't see any option which is not a loss maker, so then I would just not play an England game in 2024
• If the aim is to grow the England brand, then I would play one game vs France and one vs another international team (wales maybe not sure).  Or I would have ENgland see if they can go down under and join the bowl comp with PNG and Fiji
• If the aim is to have the top england players have a decent hit out, then maybe a Lancs v Yorks or more likely a England vs Combined nations no NRL players made up 13 team might be the option

But if the major concern is money, then I really feel we should just skip 2024 from an England perspective

I think that's the take your front door off and throw it on the fire way of saving money.

[Barley Mow]

22 minutes ago, Anita Bath said:

That of course assumes the top players would make themselves available as opposed to using the superleague free weekend to recharge their batteries.

I assume this is end of season seeing as we can't convince Samoa to tour.

[Anita Bath]

1 minute ago, Barley Mow said:

I assume this is end of season seeing as we can't convince Samoa to tour.

Even less chance they would make themselves available then.