Another part of the problem with the Leeds club is that the component parts that came together to make it weren't particularly "big" clubs pre-professionalism, in terms of profile or support.

Neither Headingley nor Roundhay were a Leicester, a Bath or even a Gosforth. They were two small clubs brought together to make a slightly bigger small club.

True. In the same way, a Cas-Wakey merger would never produce the "super club" some have envisaged.

But at least it would only produce the need for one ground & subsequently only one team to lose money or to need baling out by its owners.

And only one team to finish above Leeds...

How's your Trophy Cabinet these days?

Mr sheen fresh.

Last year, Cas made as many finals and won as many playoff games as Leeds did.

TBF they had more or less the same kind of season we did in 2005.

A season some would have you believe truly was our teams attacking zenith.

Now they really need to build on it.

You mean Pearson will wave a blank cheque to convince Sam that (once again) this IS the season that Hull FC lift the SL trophy

I've said before that RU is making the same mistake RL clubs used to make - signing 'big name' RL players rather than looking for RL players who fit more naturally in RU.

Remember when RL clubs wasted money signing the likes of Stu Evans and Dai Young, in an era when it was clear that RU props were already completely unsuited to RL?

Andy Farrell, Henry Paul (and hopefully Sam Burgess) were players that were clearly outstanding RL players, but if you were after RL players for RU none of them would have been signed. Wingers and centres are the easiest fit, as they were when RL was doing the poaching. Iestyn Harris was clearly a good 'rugby' player, and had he gone a few years before he did would probably have been sensational in RU, but he's almost the exception that proves the rule.

Even wingers should be looked at carefully. Wendell Sailor was in many ways the perfect RL winger - strong, happy to act as an extra forward, reasonably quick. But he really struggled with RU where a lot of his skill (notably running the ball back) wasn't required. Tuqiri was a less dominant RL winger but made a much better job of RU, as did Matt Rogers.

Whilst I'm unhappy Burgess has moved, if he fails to make a real impact (which is quite possible IMO), then hopefully it will discourage more poaching. I couldn't care less if that means the likes of Stephen Jones have more 'evdence' to diss RL players.

BTW, I used to watch Headingley play before I started watching Leeds. The term 'one man and his dog' springs to mind when remembering the crowds, even when they had England international Peter Winterbottom playing for them.

Good come back. All your own work?

Clive Woodward's take on SB's chances for the union WC. Pretty much spot on, I'd say. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... d-Cup.html

Clive Woodward's take on SB's chances for the union WC. Pretty much spot on, I'd say. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... d-Cup.html

I had alot of "No Trophy at Castleford" material to work with

Interesting article on how Kyle Eastmond has developed into one of the best at the breakdown and clear out and will be a model for Burgess to follow. Looks like Sam is in good hands at Bath


rlhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/11269577/How-Kyle-Eastmond-set-the-blueprint-for-Sam-Burgess.htmlrl