Do you believe that Italy or Scotland could get a result against the better Heineken Cup sides, does that stop them playing regularly against the best union sides?

We won't build the international games by dropping opponents when we think we can manufacture a better opponent out of journeymen kolpaks

This Heinekin Cup you speak of , which RL team have won it ?

Why do we, with our weak international game, think that we know better than union, with its international game that props up the entire sport, when it comes to supporting and nurturing uncompetitive international sides?

The one game that has achieved lower prominence in union's pro era is that involving the Barbarians, they are no longer a draw card for players or spectators...

You are absolutely correct , but how many full time pro's do all these international countries have at their disposal ? , you are also comparing 2 different sports , RU is like football in that you can employ tactics that can make any given game closer , RL however is not so forgiving , there is no ' defending , retaining possession, slowing down and ' easy ' points in RL , it is brutal from 1st minute to last , that's why we like it

....I am the first to use the IRB as a yard stick to measure the progress of an international sport, but the problem faced by the northern hemisphere in League differs entirely to that of Union.

As for the Barbarians...45,000 turned up to watch them play south africa FFS........I wouldn't exactly say that many people paying over 50 quid each wasn't a draw card......when was the last England RL international match (played in England) that got that attendance........I think Australia v New Zealand got about 23k a few years back in London, but for an invitational team playing a touring side to get 45,000 is pretty good going given they are an invitational side.

I repeat.....England, NZ and Australia should play the RLWC with second string teams....like a plate competition and the tri-nations should be the decider of who are world champs. The game will grow internationally when Ireland and Scotland are fielding teams full of players born in those countries.......and the way to do that is get competative games at international level....not tonkings

iv'e alway thought thats why league has never really taken off elsewere.

theres less real action, but a lot more unpredictability in the other main sports.

Good point jc , all the more reason to ' even ' thing up if at all possible IMO

but how do you even things up without holding back the more wealthy clubs ?.

Well we were discussing the International game , but even at club level , there is no other choice , or the game will die

oops

.

sorry...i ain't willing to disclose private e-mails i've had with the RFL hierarchy....not yet anyway