Not for mine. The top 4 teams along in this years semi's were far far stronger than the 2004 models.



It happened at Leeds and to a degree Wigan. It's about clubs chosing to have faith or otherwise. Your point remains correct though.



Agreed with the first part. But the bun fight that would ensue with amending the salary cap for rewarding those retaining home produced players could be a 'mare. May have merits though, but for me, a simple reduction of any non EU qualified/overseas players to 2 or 3 would hit the spot. In other words eligible to play for any of the home nations, or you are in said bracket. Of course, there are employment laws but for too long these sort of issues have blighted the game and let the tail wag the dog. It could be sorted with some smart research and implementation.

But the RFL haven't the sweetbreads to do it.

For those of us in England it is. Since you identify you aren't interested, jog on with your external unvalued Scottish opinions.

Not allowed an opinion now because I am Scottish?

Great argument!

Hadrians.

Whoopsie!

Too late.

Mystic Eddie 1 - 0 Gurus Beard

Resorting to setting up another username Eddie, jesus wept. Those tablets must be good.

Nice try GB. A quick check of the IP address should disprove your wee theory.

I think the apathy is more of an RL issue than a 'national' one.

England are well supported at Football, RU and even Cricket for God's sake! Whilst support for the other home nation's is somewhat limited due to the extreme minority status of the sport in the respective countries, you would expect England to have decent levels of support, especially if games are played in the North of England where the core fanbase is. Theoretically you'd have to say that if we can fill Wembley or Old Trafford for a final we should also be able to do the same for an international but that doesn't seem to be the case. For some reason England RL don't seem to capture the imagination and attract the support. I went to the game against France in Donny last year and I can't remember ever being at a game with such a flat, lifeless atmosphere.

I think the RFL and Sky are largely to blame for this. So much focus is put on SL and the Grand Final where as the internationals are always tagged on as an after thought. Add to that:
1. Summer Rugby means that we're having to play the games in some wierd end of season slot.
2. The 4 nations seems to have killed the excitement and novelty of internationals.

Back in the day you'd maybe play NZ or Australia on alternate years and during the season and maybe send a team down in winter to play some games during their season. They'd also bring a mid week team who'd play against some of the club sides and there would always be a bit of a buzz and excitement about it. Now, because it is an annual event, it has got rid of the novelty. When the World Cup comes around what will we see? A few smaller nations trying not to get a stonking and, more likely than not, the same teams in the top 3 slots. In other sports you can be pretty sure that a number of teams will be in the mix.

I'd be interested to see what sort of crowds this 4 nations gets because it seems like years since we actually sent a team to play more than a token match. Has Australia and NZ got an appetite for international RL? If not, something needs to change.

Yet you chose to drag it off topic in the first place now look to deflect the blow when you are shown up.

As I said, it is quite simple. The England national side will suffer due to McNamara being in charge. OK, he does not have a great pool to pick from but as he proved for long enough at Odsal, he is incapable of getting the best out of the players he has at his disposal.

As will be proven very soon.

The only England/GB games I've missed over here in the last 10 years are the ones in Wales & the Cumbria one this weekend. I've been to every other one, including the London games, but they're never particularly well attended. Unfortunately the way finances are these days, they'll be even less so (I for one don't know if I could afford it now). People will always choose to support their club first if they have to make a choice.

That being said, I'm glad that there are no England games over here this year, as I don't think I'd want to pay those prices to watch them get absolutely hammered. At least in previous years, despite the losses and occasional hammering, I went there with a small amount of hope that we could do something. I can't say that's there for this year's games.

1. International prices, given their level of "performance" are a hamstring, no doubt.
2. The days of big crowds generally focused around top class venues like Wembley and Old Trafford. We have now dumbed down to the soulless pre-fab stadiums such as DW, Reebok, KC and can't even sell those out. Simply, a trip to London by "northerners" engendered some kind of positive siege mentality and was, whatever the result, a great weekend away. Same with Manc to a degree. That uniqueness and "spirit of GB" has gone. Pity
3. The above venues clearly had a positive impact on the GB team and was a 14th man to some degree.
4. The RFL has a total obsession with the national game, primarily due to monies from various funding streams. Sadly, the RFL have neither the staff or ability to pro-actively sell anything effectively. Clipboard carriers, ex-club employees graveyard.
5. The parochial views of many fans seeking to support their club favourites first over and above the performance of the national side, is a worry. Whilst that remains, it will be difficult to change the mindset of existing attending fans
6. It's placement in the sporting calendar is clumsy. End of a season, players knackered/bust leading to 4 5 key players out from both sides does nothing for the sale value.

Amen.