That's half the issue though isn't it? I think some of these players watch NFL and think 'I can do that' because they focus on the non-technical stuff. Hayne's problem was errors - didn't read a blitz compounding his fumbles, some of which have been caused by his inability to decide which kicks to simply not even go for. Those errors can't make up for the odd half-decent play (despite the hype when actually selected in real games he did nothing that special).

I think the other mistake that can be made is assuming that you'll somehow get given time to learn the game. Hayne's been written off by one of the worst sides in the comp and no others wanted him when he was freely available. I've no doubt he'll convince himself that he can come back next year, when the reality is he'll be up against a raft of new college recruits and desperate journeymen pros, all of whom outmatch him for experience by years. He also won't have the element of novelty. He may get a gig on a training roster somewhere, but the saddest thing is I expect him to hang out there until the last team closes its doors on him, rather than come back to RL, where he's a star.

How about that young Fijian (?) lad Bath just got as a 9? He looks like he'd make a good Segeyaro-style dummy half. Also impressed by the Harlequins centre I saw on the highlights the other night. He has real pace, which doesn't seem too common in Union centres.

I would be more worried by the fact that Union seems to be getting a pro-league in the USA. If that takes off they will sign up the whole of the of the NRL staff.

I don't really watch Union for more than the 5 minutes it takes for my boredom to override my laziness and I eventually get up to get the remote.

But it's apparently been a professional sport for a while now so there must be some of their participants who aren't entirely talentless, even in the Aviva Premiership.

The NFL doesn't need to go on a mass recruiting drive for new players. They get heaps of new NFL-ready college players every year. The main shortage ATM seems to be young quarterbacks - who will never come from anywhere other than colleges.

Specific clubs might have a look around, but they're far more likely to look for kids with the right build and athletic ability who they could put through the college system than bothering to look at guys in their mid 20s who've never played the game.

I'm not that enthusiastic either, but I do generally watch the highlights during the league close season, and you do occasionally see some decent tries scored by the better sides like Northampton and Bath. Spotting players who look like they might have the wherewithal to succeed at league (and there's not many) is my main interest.