I was seething when I saw that interview and my initial reaction was to rail at Eastmond and call him all the names under the sun. But why?

If it were any other walk of life, I would applaud a talented, ambitious young man for taking an opportunity like that - something that he wants to do, earn more money, self development etc etc. It's because I am so passionate about RL (and utterly irritated by RU) that this whole situation hurts so much.

It is St Helens RLFC, Super League (Europe) and the RFL that should be answering for this, not one player. RU probably is a bigger sport. Participation - bigger. Money - bigger. Profile - bigger. International game - bigger. When they start taking our talent it is the icing on the cake.

But it isn't better. RL is never going to be soccer, but it shouldn't be losing a competitive battle with an inferior game.

GOOD POST MATE .It certainly is not a better game than our's,but on another subject I think Eastmond could have played his final game for Saints after that interview

And its not just the seniors, the minis & juniors at Ormskirk have over a hundred kids playing there on Sundays - All of whom have no local professional Union team to watch.

Union know that the big bucks will come to them and support their game because they have a well organised and well supported International game. They know the TV revenue will roll in for it and they present it very well. Most fans of RL sadly want to keep it on the M62 let alone build it into a national or genuine internationalsport. Fans moan about the media attention Union get and RL doesn't but as long as RL has this parochial view it will not change. Quins are trying to expand the game down south against huge obstacle but instead of getting encouragement for the positive achivements in terms of youth development and local community work they prefer to knock them because they havn't yet got the crowds the Northern teams have. Never heard Union fans knock their own sport. Union fans would never do this - they see the bigger picture for their sport. I would guess Italy don't get big crowds in comparison to the Welsh, English and French but I have never heard it being mentioned, but when they beat the French all of them were full of praise as if England had won it.

I'm not sure about 'most' but certainly there is a significant number of RL fans who are as parochial as you suggest. Thankfully, in terms of expansion within the British game, the RFL is taking no notice of them. Long may that continue. I've had many an argument with the parochial types over the critical importance of expanding the game as well as supporting the international game. Alas, until the English team looks remotely competitive, it is unlikely that many fans will turn out in support. Personally, I think support should be given whether the team is competitive or not as it is our country we are talking about. But there are many who don't share my view.