It is a shame because as you point out it should be a good thing having a RL program to watch as we don't get much but it's just not any good really.

I'll take Yorkshire at fighting but Lancashire at drinking.

Might get over if its a decent night weather wise.

Absolutely agree about Simmonds.
His loutish shoutish style just gets up my nose and makes half time unbearable.
Bring in a professional announcer with a rugby league interest and bias.
I also agree about the birthday messages. If it was for me, I would be so disappointed. If the sound / pronunciation is that bad and can't be improved, then maybe e mailing an av file would be better. More likely to hit the target. Imagine a kids horror if he missed it having nipped out for a pee or a drink.

Not only is he unprofessional, but he's an ar£ehole too.

I also know of two people who he's tried to screw over, one being a family member, in relation getting paid for work on Rugby AM.

Leeds persevere with it purely because of JJB's involvement, and are admirably backing what could potentially be JJB's income post-RL.

You alright maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate.
I know Chev Walker Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate.

Speaking of half time, whatever happened to giving out the half time scores of other games?

Same here - I used to go in the Long Bar every game. I've been in there twice this year and given up both times. It's impossible to enjoy yourself in there with him shouting inanely away.

FWIW we do have, for most games, a perfectly fine announcer in Pete Nuttall. Why they give it to Simmonds at half time is anyone's guess.

Rugby AM radio show used to be pretty good, when they used to get a lot of good stories out of players, now I just check youtube to see if there are any decent player interviews, never watch the whole thing.

As for half time I totally agree with everything above

I agree Rugby AM can sometimes get some decent interviews that are often a bit more informal and relaxed than any that the players or coaches have with Sky or the BBC.

However I agree on the general theme that the shouty Simmonds thing is just annoying. JJB usually manages to put enthusiasm and energy into his interviews without the need to shout or laugh inanely. There's a decent couple of interviews with both McDermott and Hetherington from JJB in the latest episode

Have to agree with everyone's sentiments on Simmonds - he's the ultimate 'clinger on'. But fair play to him, he's managed to make himself a career from it. I personally can't listen to him for a minute - it's ridiculously cringeworthy, but he's getting absolutely everywhere.

On a different, but similar note (and this will probably offend some and come across as a touch heartless so I'll put on my hard hat), but I'm a bit sick of seeing/hearing from Lizzie Jones, she gets where water can't - I'm sure she's rooting someone at Leeds, she's at every game, function and get together.

I absolutely have 100% sympathy for her, admire her massively for what she's doing with the DJ defibrillator Charity (and maybe it is just Leeds being very supportive of her and that charity), but jeez, every time I'm at headingly she's there hovering around like an entitled celeb.

Used to watch Rugby AM, don't bother anymore now,can't stand Simmons

Out of all my family, Rugby AM appeals mostly to my youngest cousin so Alex’s target audience isn’t really us and it seems like his appearances in the Long Bar are misguided. Alex comes from a nightlife background so probably comes across a bit like Ray Von from Phoenix Nights in this sort of setting.

The team has done a good job of bringing about the Rugby Camps for kids plus this Origin Match is brilliant and they have a lot of ambitions in the pipeline.

Shabba!

Rayvon Simmons.

How apt.