The RFL clearly see the benefit of having a high profile Welsh RU player come to play Rugby League. Andy Powell has played RU at the highest level internationally and is a high profile RU player. He's apparently agreed to come to Rugby League - when was the last time this happened? Gareth Thomas is the only other one I can think of. This is fantastic for the game. It sends the message out that top RU players can come over to RL just as RL players can come over to RU. Hopefully Powell is a big success and it might encourage more RU lads to try the game.
Wigan also have a direct partnership with South Wales RL and the nation's governing body - helping to promote and grow the game in Wales. Our former development coach Dave Clark is the head coach at South Wales, sharing our knowledge and expertise in bringing through young talent, which we're pretty decent at seeing as it was that young talent that massacred every team in its path over the Easter weekend. What is your club doing? We currently have Ben Flower, Gil Dudson, Rhodri Lloyd, Rhys Pugsley and now Andy Powell at our club who will all no doubt be a shoe-in for the Welsh squad. We also have the current head coach of Wales currently on our books as well. We share resources with South Wales as well as loaning some top young RL talent there way as well. We provide a pathway for young Welsh lads to aspire to make the grade to Super League. Helping the international game and helping the development of Welsh RL. Again I ask, what is your club doing? Andy Powell will no doubt spend sometime in South Wales on dual registration - that can only help raise the profile of the game in Wales. Don't we also have a a world cup coming soon? Do you think Andy Powell might, err, I dunno, help put some more bums on seats when Wales are playing a fixture in Bridgend in the World Cup? The RFL will more than make their money back in Andy Powell for the publicity he will bring to the sport, which hell, we bloody well need! If only every club made the same efforts Wigan make to grow the game. Perhaps if you developed a Sam Tomkins, perhaps if you signed an Andy Powell, perhaps you're club would get the same benefits.
Wigan have always been pioneers of RL. Both on and off the field. This is just another one of those times when you have to sit back and applaud Ian Lenagan, the RFL and Wigan RL for the outstanding work they do for the development of our game.
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