Quote Richie="Richie"Why do RL players from the north of England have such a problem with moving away from there? '"
I don't get it either. For example, I knew 100% that when Chev Walker signed for Bath he would be lucky to last a season. In Tomkins case I was surprised he went to the Warriors, just the constant travelling to every away game would put me off. I guess it's not like a regular job, you grow up from being 10 or 11 playing against and with the same lads, who you eventually work with. RL is a small community, you must get to know everyone from a young age. Taking yourself out of that must be hard. Sam Burgess - a success in that department - went with all three of his brothers which must have helped.
I also suspect that the NRL is very different to SL and rugby league in this country in general.
My son has moved swimming club recently, with vastly different training methods, we've moved house and schools etc. and it's been very hard at first but he's settled quickly, adapted and made friends and I always believe that if kids learn how to cope with changes like that they will be better suited to making the most of the opportunities there are now working and living outside the UK, within the EU or outside it. Maybe northen lads playing rugby league is just a bit insular and hard to move away from.