More than anything, we need David Mitchell contracted to feature in our tv adverts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF_uOgyBK1c

More than anything, we need David Mitchell contracted to feature in our tv adverts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF_uOgyBK1c

+1 That's not sport in my eyes.

Was it worse than Rangi smashing the Leeds player in the face deliberately.

Why has all sport got to be fast and tough. RU is different, as is Cricket. People like sports for different reasons

Try and get a ticket to Englands next game- That will tell you how popular it is.

He grew up in Halifax, so probably has a healthy respect for our sport.

Rugby union has a massive occasional support for big games and international.

I've played a lot of Rugby Union for Ormskirk. They currently run 4 senior teams every week.
Because of the lower intensity, the emphasis on the static set piece and the smaller amount of time the ball's in play, you've got plenty of guys in their 40s still playing social rugby in the 3rds and 4ths.
On international weekends, a large crowd, including ex players will gather in the bar to watch the match on the big screen. They don't care if the games dull, because they'll have a beer and be amongst their mates.

The club receive a ticket allocation for international games, which they distribute to their members. Given they've got about 100 playing members as well as umpteen explayers who are social members, a ladies team and a massive mini and junior section, so there's always someone who'll want a day out.

Ormskirk is equidistant from Wigan and St Helens, about 1/2 an hours drive from either. They have a mini and junior section that has 200 kids registered. The nearest Top Flight RU club is Sale, which is a long way away. Union clubs like this should be a prime target for Superleague clubs looking to increase their fans base.
Would it be so daft to offer every rugby union club in the area club a batch of tickets for next to nothing for the world cup games? Show these guys what is right under their noses?
There are a lot of Rugby Union clubs all around us who have no top flight rugby to watch live.

I was totally bored so i thought i would watch it after 30 mins went to wash pots for the wife, that's how bored i was and how boring union is

My Wife said to me "Why don't you watch the Rugby while I do the ironing" to which I replied "Nah. I'll do the ironing and you can watch it if you like." I actually ended up decorating and i'm thankful I did.

I don't know why anyone would want to move to Union. It requires no skill whatsoever, it's boring to watch and just becomes a competition for who has the best goal kicker.

If you were on, say£60k, at a league club and Union came knocking and offered £240k then you'd go. You'd be daft not to. That's the first reason why players go.
The other is to play Intls in front of 80000 and all the papers covering the game for the week prior to the game.

The 6 Nats is the same every year. Each fixture is made into a top notch event that draws people in.
every year the "Rugby" is dreadful but that doesn't really matter to those that attend.
They go for a great day out, attend a superb event and hopefully get the right result for them.

The quality of play is of no consequence at all.

Spot on

It was a slog to watch, but the France Wales games was far far worse. Strangely I was really impressed with the England game the week before. They had second row forwards running, dodging tackles and passing the ball - something I've never seen in Union before.

Why is defending so poor in union?
There doesn't seem to be any ability to tackle man on man.