RL will always be small-time because we act like this.   I've just accepted it.   Linking up with the NRL may well have diluted some of our top-talent pool, but this could have worked both ways and we could have taken some of their outstanding juniors on a sort of dual-registration basis, and more importantly tapped into their experience of coaching structures.   


Nigel Wood for me, even just visually, reinforces the stereotype of the ageing tubby Northern guy who likes his M62 bubble.   I can see why Peter V'Landys seemingly doesn't have any respect for him.   Time to put pride to bed and actually start learning from those with experience of expanding a sport.    Doubt it will happen though...

Whatever you think about Wood, it seems the majority of club owners are in favour of the change. I get the impression that Simon Johnson and the rest of the previous board were content with just attending meetings, rather than being proactive in their governance. 


I hope Wood isn't a long term appointment, but hopefully it will result in a positive change. I'm sceptical, though. 

A few years ago I’d probably say no to an eight team NRL Europe.   However, RL is dying a slow death, managed decline, and it needs something radical to grow.   I’ll take a strong 8-team comp with the smaller clubs in a reformed lower Suoer League. London, Cats, Warrington, Wigan, Leeds, Saints and the two Hull clubs all in the NRL-E.

NRL branding to keep it sounding ‘national’ and use all their expertise to run it.   Grow slowly from there with the addition of another French club when able.


If it doesn’t work we haven’t lost anything really.   How much longer can we even stay known outside of the M62 corridor.   An ageing fan base, and some prehistoric facilities.   Did anyone see the Cas Cats game?   It was like watching a VHS of a 1980s Micron video rental.


Im all in. 

Is this your line up or something that's been published? Interesting, no Leigh who might argue that they are a big Club, or certainly on their way to being, and nothing from west West Yorkshire, which although is an area with under achievers has a large combined RL demographic