The RFL's failure to get some sort of broadcasting deal for the Championship smacks of rank amateurism. When I flick through all the sports channels and see some of the obscure shoite that some are padded out with - much of it totally unconnected with this country - it does make you wonder. However, Sky are as bad f not worse, as why would they take the rights, so nobody else can show it, yet not bother themselves? That may suit Sky, but shame on the RFL for even considering such a plan let alone agreeing to it.

I wish some Fax fans would get over the 'hatred' for all things Bradford and just embrace the fact that we get to have a local derby with one of our greatest foes since the game began. The atmosphere at odsal was really good once the Bulls fans woke up and Im hoping for more of the same on Saturday. Theres no denying that the Bulls should beat us and beat us well given the money spent on the two squads but Im hoping we can raise our game again and Bradford have an off day to make for a really good game.

My only thoughts on the Summer bash are that its a pity we have to play Bradford because we will likely lose ground on Sheffield and Dewsbury as they should win their games and maybe it could have been done more fairly but it had to be Bradford V Halifax which in theory should bring in more fans than any other game at the weekend(obviously in hindsight Bradford V Leigh would have been better).

About right ... in my blind ignorance I will freely admit that I have been sat in a RFL/Media framed illusion. Now I have been set free What with Leigh setting the standard of love and closeness ... holding hands, skipping through the long grass in the bright sunshine of opportunity

'Bash', is one of those wonderful words with more than one meaning. I suspect the RFL were happy to play with the idea of their 'party' and celebration of rugby, being the same word as is used by people who like a bit of 'bash'...

I'd have liked to see Jimmy's face when he made his comments, things in print can be very black and white and easily misinterpreted. Course, and especially when considering the other things he had to say, sometimes that first impression is dead on too..

Squad for Saturday is out:

Henry, AoB, Purtell, Sidlow, Mellor, Addy, Williams, Lauaki, Uaisele, Mendeika, Pitts, Baile, Gaskell, Walshaw, Clough, Shaw, Crossley, Olbison, Halafihi.

No Ferguson

I would probably drop Halafihi and Baile from that, and go with:

Shaw
Uaisele
Henry
Purtell
Williams
Gaskell
Addy
Sidlow
AoB
Clough
Olbison
Walshaw
Pitts

Crossley
Lauaki
Mellor
Mendeika

The RFL were so S$%&T scared there would be no more money from Sky they just negotiated a price way before the contract was up, i am sure other companies would have had a punt on RL and given us more air time.
Now the lower leagues have to put up with little or no coverage from a not really interested Sky, not what i would call trying to further the exposure of RL in the UK.

Well said,

I don't get this "hatred" where some fans of clubs, want other clubs to go bust. I love rivalries with Fax, Leeds etc, but i would never want them to go bust.

In fact i would love Fax to thrive. I've been to watch them a few times when the Bulls haven't been playing and they have a cracking little stadium with a strong hardcore fan base. Hope Fax become full time soon as they have potential to make a real go of things.

Halifax v.s Bulls in SL in front of a sold out Shay would be awesome.

Yeah I agree with all of your points. The Tahraoui things has me puzzled the most. Fleming was also going really well, not sure if he's injured or not though.

Mullaney did his hamstring again against Sheffield. Problem with hamstrings you can't bring players back until they are 100%, so it's just a week by week basis.

Regarding Mendieka, I think he's been chosen ahead of Blythe because I presume Jimmy wants to see how Mendieka does at full back.

Agree about Tahraouri though, not sure why he's not getting in. But we're not seeing them train.

Think mendeikas worth a shot to see if he's an improvement defensively on shaw. Presumably we'll keep shaw on bench or in centres. Would have put Blythe ahead of Baille who's been a big disappointment so far and probably ahead of Henry, who whilst steadily improving is inconsistent.
One that really baffles me is lauaki repeatedly getting picked while Davies and Samir can't seem to get a look in.

I think Jimmy is still building up Lauaki's match fitness for the Middle 8s and is just easing him in, although you'd think he'd be match fit by now. As for Davies, perhaps Jimmy wants him to get more game time down at Oxford under his belt. I'm not too worried about the props to be honest though because Clough and Sidlow do big minutes anyway - the other two props just come on for short spells.

I am surprised that Blythe isn't playing but Henry did have a good game against Sheffield.

2300 tickets sold by the Bulls too according to the website.

Is Ferguson injured again? If so, maybe there is some truth after all in the comments about him being made of biscuit. I had assumed they were joking.

You're not going then? I'm looking forward to it. I wouldn't be going if it was at a ground we've already visited this season.