Am I correct in think that "JP moving to the dark side?" in the real world translates into "JP watched a rugby union match"?

But you stand by your comment that the game hasn't improved in 20 years?

That's what I disagreed with.

Yes, it would appear so.

As one poster mentioned earlier in the thread; the players on both codes will no doubt respect each other greatly but it's the fans (on boths sides i might add) that don't seem to reciprocate.

And there-in lies the difference between codes at international level. Arguably one thing league will never have until it has it's own national stadium.

People from all over the country will head to Twickenham for a day out/weekend away: the banter, the atmosphere, the whole day. I would guess the actual game for many people is just part of the day - not the be all & end all. I find union quite tedious to watch, but have enjoyed my visits to Twickenham.

As a sport live, it's not even close to league - I would never argue that. I wasn't arguing with Tad either, just offering a different way of looking at enjoying watching a game. He usually has some story after every GF of drunken louts, threatening behaviour etc.

I don't know what the England/SA game looked like on TV but live it was absolute garbage - the one try of the match summed it up along with the worst decision by any sporting captain in history in the last 90 seconds (his after match interview which was shown on the big screens was cringeworthy). But did I "enjoy waching it" - yes. I enjoyed sitting in the stand at Twickenham with a beer or two (or 3 or 4) with my lad and watching the game.

Let it go G. Let the chip slide off, let the weight be lifted before you get arthritis or end up marching in orange up and down the Falls Road (hang on, that's another long dead, pointless conflict). There will always be Inverdale's, they are not worth it.

It is at the moment. The law changes a few years ago re-spawned the rubbish kicking game. Before that when Super Rugby first started it was mostly ball in hand. If you appreciate the contact skills and the battle for the ball then the game has improved vastly in the last 30 years technically (you can't just stamp on people till they move now). The contact and ruck skills my 9 year old has been coached are way ahead of anything I had as an adult player. FWIW I wish we lived in the North and he could play league, he has the ideal playing style and he'd love it.

Where abouts do you live? Most places have some sort of league team, with junior set ups

My summation of most of the above comments is that RU internationals are a great day out only marred by the game itself.
Big occasions in RL tend to be the other way round.

Darkest Wiltshire. I may look at it when he's a little older (if he wants to do it). We joined the RU club when he was 5 because it was at the back of our house and I could coach.

Ooh... hark at Mr Cufflinks often seen lording it at several smart-attire only poncy events at Headingley in his time... all for charity and testimonials of course. The embourgeoisement of G1 took place a very long time ago.

I think for someone of my and what you are brought up with and the social and economic backgrod you come from,and the industry you have worked in at influences you.I still find union bit dull and would never consider going to watch Leeds carnegie or what ever they call themselves now,but if someone wants to watch union fair play to them,but I still dont think our game RL gets a fair crack of the whip in the media still. "RUGBY WORLD CUP"thats just one thing I think is a snipe at RL

Glad to hear Lionarmour. I was referring to the dinosaurs from both codes with signs of some RU ones dying off a bit since RU turned pro.

No. I enjoyed a few pints with "Invers" at Esher Rugby Club about 11 years ago when he was playing for their Vets and I found him to be a decent bloke.

I think Farrell is coaching the backs mainly on the defence (which was good) and Mike Catt is officially the attacking skills coach (which isn't so good)

I also think Owen Farrell was aware of the situation and right to suggest going for touch.