It was but the championship and League one clubs knew this was going to happen when they were bullied into voting for it.

When Chalmers (yeah I know how he worked out) - along with the rest of the advisory group - was talking about this the likes of Carter and Hudgell were very quick to shout him down - I wonder why? On this one he was right and the SL clubs have ensured they were insured against a reduced deal.

Didn't the RFU make a statement only about 5 years ago where they intended to get their game into every UK school ?

Spot on 9A it goes with the territory of monopolizing the term rugby. I can't say that I particularly blame them on either front, it's part of their remit to grow their game. The onus is on us to grow ours

Wales is not a country ?

Grace would be pushing for a place in the squad but, Flower wouldn't, not even the Flower of 4/5 years ago

Back in the day, when we plundered some decent Welsh RU players, Wales were a very good side.
Unfortunately, since RU "came out" and admitted paying it's players, RL cant compete and wont be able to in the foreseeable future.
"We" may convert the odd disgruntled former international but, all of the tp talent will stay in Union.

RL has to find a way to interest those outside the M62 corridor, something that "we" just haven't done and for a long, long time.
This is not a new problem.

It wouldn't harm for some of the bigger RL clubs to become a sporting club in the Leeds Model. Not only would you be able to use your ground over the winter but you'd bring in an entirely different pool of players and potentially feed off of one another.

I've forgotten about Leeds RUFC. Their Premiership days are long gone and they sold their Premiership shares apparently.

Playing wise they have sunk, and are now leaving Headingley to play at Bramhope North of Leeds. The ground there isn't built for spectators, there's no turnstyles or significant stands or terracing.

I know RL hasn't done very well with Pro Expansion to the south, but RU has done much worse with Pro expansion to the north!!!! I'm in tears