Scotland v Ireland

[Dave T]

22 minutes ago, OriginalMrC said:

By every metric this game has been a disaster for Scotland. The low crowd won't have even covered expenses and they got well beaten by an Ireland side who weren't full strength.

At risk of sounding like broken record these games need to be played in Scotland. They need to have a base and get local businesses and sponsors on board. Engage local volunteers and work with clubs in Scotland so that they get everyone moving in the right direction.

There's no reason why they can't aim to sell a few thousand tickets, sell out hospitality and make it a day out for RL fans in Scotland. As it stands games like this are contributing to the death of the game in Scotland.

It was a bizarre fixture. To clash it with the England game was weird.

I've been to a few Scotland games in Scotland and they've all had bigger crowds than this.

But hey, something about a restart.

[corkonian77]

11 minutes ago, Dave T said:

It was a bizarre fixture. To clash it with the England game was weird.

I've been to a few Scotland games in Scotland and they've all had bigger crowds than this.

But hey, something about a restart.

Gateshead Football club played on the Saturday. 

They played on Sunday at 2 pm as the organiser or stadium owners probally didnt want to turn on floodlights. 

[gingerjon]

14 minutes ago, Dave T said:

It was a bizarre fixture. To clash it with the England game was weird.

I've been to a few Scotland games in Scotland and they've all had bigger crowds than this.

But hey, something about a restart.

If you want a very minor positive ... Five Live included it in their round up sporting action taking place yesterday. During the Sunday morning show it was along the lines of, "We'll have a preview of England v Samoa, which you can watch on BBC Two later, and not forgetting that Scotland and Ireland are also playing for a full programme of international rugby league."

[Dave T]

1 minute ago, gingerjon said:

If you want a very minor positive ... Five Live included it in their round up sporting action taking place yesterday. During the Sunday morning show it was along the lines of, "We'll have a preview of England v Samoa, which you can watch on BBC Two later, and not forgetting that Scotland and Ireland are also playing for a full programme of international rugby league."

Thanks, that's cheered me up

[Griff]

2 hours ago, corkonian77 said:

Gateshead Football club played on the Saturday. 

They played on Sunday at 2 pm as the organiser or stadium owners probally didnt want to turn on floodlights. 

Floodights were on from the start.

[corkonian77]

33 minutes ago, Griff said:

Floodights were on from the start.

Before the age of floodlights  in Irish sport. 

2:30 kick offs were the norm in winter for all outdoor sports. Flood lights were only adopted in Irish sport in 1990s.

 I am at a loss why they would  hold  both matches at virtually  the same time.

 

[Griff]

2 minutes ago, corkonian77 said:

Before the age of floodlights  in Irish sport. 

2:30 kick offs were the norm in winter for all outdoor sports. Flood lights were only adopted in Irish sport in 1990s.

 I am at a loss why they would  hold  both matches at virtually  the same time.

 

We were always going to choose the Ireland game.

[StandOffHalf]

2 hours ago, corkonian77 said:

Before the age of floodlights  in Irish sport. 

2:30 kick offs were the norm in winter for all outdoor sports. Flood lights were only adopted in Irish sport in 1990s.

 I am at a loss why they would  hold  both matches at virtually  the same time.

 

Yeah, I went with the TV game. I certainly would have watched if they hadn't clashed.

[JonM]

13 minutes ago, StandOffHalf said:

Yeah, I went with the TV game. I certainly would have watched if they hadn't clashed.

I would've gone to the game if I hadn't been going to watch the game in Wigan at the same time. I guess they couldn't arrange it for last weekend because potentially 3 of the Ireland squad might've been playing for Bradford in the Championship final.

[Phil W]

It was an enjoyable enough afternoon. It fulfilled the purpose of keeping international rugby league alive. But yes in an ideal world Scotland would host games in Scotland. The Hive Stadium in Murrayfield would be ideal but costs would be an issue I reckon. 

[JM2010]

2 hours ago, Phil W said:

It was an enjoyable enough afternoon. It fulfilled the purpose of keeping international rugby league alive. But yes in an ideal world Scotland would host games in Scotland. The Hive Stadium in Murrayfield would be ideal but costs would be an issue I reckon. 

Let’s see if they can build on this now. I’d like to see both nations involved in a mid season test and a few tests at the end of the season.

France are involved in the World Series but Wales, Ireland and Scotland could play. 

[Leyther_Matt]

2 hours ago, Phil W said:

It was an enjoyable enough afternoon. It fulfilled the purpose of keeping international rugby league alive. But yes in an ideal world Scotland would host games in Scotland. The Hive Stadium in Murrayfield would be ideal but costs would be an issue I reckon. 

Meggetland has been used previously if memory serves me right, but I suppose it all depends on what is considered to be anything close to a RL hub in Scotland, even if that means playing in Falkirk or wherever. 

[Griff]

1 hour ago, Leyther_Matt said:

Meggetland has been used previously if memory serves me right, but I suppose it all depends on what is considered to be anything close to a RL hub in Scotland, even if that means playing in Falkirk or wherever. 

Yep. Scotland v Ireland, 2012.

[langpark]

If they ever do make a gentleman's agreement to play full domestic vs full domestic teams, in one of their own countries, it will draw twice the crowd as this type of fixture, as all the friends and family of the players will come along to watch and support, even if they have never watched RL in their lives.

[Griff]

1 hour ago, langpark said:

If they ever do make a gentleman's agreement to play full domestic vs full domestic teams, in one of their own countries, it will draw twice the crowd as this type of fixture, as all the friends and family of the players will come along to watch and support, even if they have never watched RL in their lives.

You reckon that the families of heritage players don't come to watch, then?

Edited October 29, 2024 by Griff

[Leyther_Matt]

9 hours ago, Griff said:

Yep. Scotland v Ireland, 2012.

Was there not an England Knights game as well?

[gingerjon]

1 minute ago, Leyther_Matt said:

Was there not an England Knights game as well?

Yes - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Rugby_League_European_Cup

[langpark]

58 minutes ago, Griff said:

You reckon that the families of heritage players don't come to watch, then?

Obviously not nearly as many, when they are scattered all over England, Aus etc. 

Whereas if a game is played in Glasgow/Edinburgh, then obviously that is where most of the local players' family/friends are. Any other questions?

Edited October 29, 2024 by langpark

[Griff]

8 hours ago, langpark said:

Obviously not nearly as many, when they are scattered all over England, Aus etc. 

Whereas if a game is played in Glasgow/Edinburgh, then obviously that is where most of the local players' family/friends are. Any other questions?

All over England ?  I wish ..........

Less than two hours drive from our house.  We've been a lot further for Championship games.

There's no "obviously" about it.

[Dave T]

20 hours ago, Leyther_Matt said:

Meggetland has been used previously if memory serves me right, but I suppose it all depends on what is considered to be anything close to a RL hub in Scotland, even if that means playing in Falkirk or wherever. 

Had an absolutely superb day watching that match at Meggatland, nice little venue and many, many beers were had.

[Griff]

14 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Had an absolutely superb day watching that match at Meggatland, nice little venue and many, many beers were had.

Yeah, nice little ground. Hard to find, though.

[Dave T]

4 minutes ago, Griff said:

Yeah, nice little ground. Hard to find, though.

Lived in Edinburgh for 12 years and still couldn't direct you to it

[langpark]

1 hour ago, Griff said:

All over England ?  I wish ..........

Less than two hours drive from our house.  We've been a lot further for Championship games.

There's no "obviously" about it.

You are a diehard. Not everyone is. If a player is playing in his home town, plenty of his family, friends, colleagues and even acquaintances can come along thanks to that one player. Play it a few hours away and then you are probably down to just immediate family travelling to watch the game. 

[Griff]

28 minutes ago, langpark said:

You are a diehard. Not everyone is. If a player is playing in his home town, plenty of his family, friends, colleagues and even acquaintances can come along thanks to that one player. Play it a few hours away and then you are probably down to just immediate family travelling to watch the game. 

Ok, we have different views.

[Leyther_Matt]

5 hours ago, Dave T said:

Lived in Edinburgh for 12 years and still couldn't direct you to it

I literally only know it from passing on the train and assume it’s accessible from Gorgie, but that’s your lot