Unfortunately RFL may have talked about Manchester until it is too late! The RU under 20 World Cup is being held this year in AJ Bell and Man City Academy Ground. The RFU has said it's aim is to get as many school kids in the NW to see a completion involving over 30 countries, and to provide the resources for an extra 1000 schools in the NW to play and develop RU. I think it is June sometine, but is all ready being promoted heavily.

The RFU has planted it's tanks on RL's lawn and history has shown they have the resources to back it up ( and no doubt a few big names) I can only guess how much Sale Sharks will be all over it!. It may be the RFL has missed the Manchester ( as opposed to Gtr Manchester) boat.

Richard Lewis also had his big slice of cake, then he did a runner as they was going to announce the Sport England Funding was going to reduce the payment to RL by just under a million quid (950k), for lack of participation in the sport. I summize Brian Barwick saw the "gravy train" potential a year later whilst in the meantime they couldn't fill the media manager position for the same period.

True.

Expansion-wise, I think the method of brining in clubs into League 1 is a good one, allow them to grow organically and build their own networks, with eventually the cream rising to the top (even though it may take a while to do so).

Toulouse have started brightly with two good wins, I've got high hopes for them.

Agree with that. Unfortunately League 1 operates only just above that of amateur clubs, but we have to give them time. Something that RL is very bad at, constantly wanting a quick fix rather than long term, consistent investment.
League 1 gives these teams at least an opportunity to develop and it'll be interesting as aren't the Canadians due for entry in to League 1 next season?

I always thought making Super League games PPV on sky would be a good thing as I for one struggle to warrant getting sky sports just for rugby. It may hurt attendances slightly but it would get bigger coverage overall!

That would only appeal to existing RL fans, and would massively reduce the viewing figures, as generally, fans would only pay to watch their team and maybe the odd big fixture. Can't see many neutrals or non RL-folk paying out to watch Wakefield v Salford.... (No disrespect meant to those teams)