I never suggested that a small presence in London transformed RL into some kind of nation spanning colossus. What I did say was, "With only 3 of 14 SL clubs outside the north, the game still has some way to go to deserve the spotlight most of us want it to have." In short the game needs more expansion, not less. It's entirely conceivable that 3 out of 14 won't be enough to stop the Challenge Cup de-listing going ahead. 1 or 0 out of 12 would be a no-brainer.

The presence in London was a condition of the first SL contract with Sky, in a real sense they were the first franchised club. Some believe that requirement's been dropped, but it's hard to imagine that Sky would pay as much for the rights as now without it.

It's interesting you mentioned curling and skiing getting more coverage. They might be small in the UK but they're both bigger internationally than than RL: neither one relies on tiny island nations with heritage players to make their international competitions look better. They're both in the Olympics too.

Sky bought it all, didn't they?

I think the issue here is development of the game, which certainly should be supported in the South East. I think that the problems in that area are not related to providing a career for the elite few players but more having enough amateur and junior clubs for the vast majority of players. There is a huge amount of work going into schools in that area, but I had a discussion a few weeks ago with someone on here (apologies can't remember the name) who was concerned that the effort he was doing in his school would produce rewards for the local RU club, that had very recently sent in a coach to work with the kids. I said he should get kids signed up to his local RL club youth section, his reply was there wasn't one.

Now if that is the case then really what is the point, kids want to play games and they will pretty much stick with the first club they go to and they will be RL for life. If there are not enough youth teams to join then all of that work is a waste of time. Elite players will find a way to the top, they will be scouted by other clubs or move up North which is all of two hours away.

So, I'm not even convinced that Quins are vital for player development. This is not a downer on Quins as I said before I would like to see them thrive but in response to the OP I don't really see that they are in any way more important than any other team in SL.

I couldn't tell you.

The importance that Lewis attaches to a SL presence in the capital is quite correct, I'm just not sure that quins are the ideal 'set-up' to fulfil the requirements.

To promote a sport that has never been particularly popular down there is a losing (but definitely necessary) battle in the first place, but IMHO there's simply too many obstacles standing in Quin's way.

For starters not only are they based in deepest darkest union territory, but to position them on the doorstep of their national stadium in a community steeped in union history, is just bizarre. If the idea behind that is to attract union fans to our code, why adopt the name, ground and colours of a famous union club and instantly alienate any potential support from their rivals??

Also I'm not convinced a 'leafy suburb' which is a good half hour away on the train from central london, is the best place to base London's only professional SL club.

I do understand that there is a certain amount of stability gained by the club from being involved with Harlequins, and I also agree with previous posters who have said that the constant name changing and ground moving makes it impossible to get a foothold, but if the RFL are serious about having a well-supported SL club down there, they need to make sure every detail is geared towards attracting support, and quins just isn't.

Exactly!! We're 1 or 2 games into the season and we're already the worst team in the competition??? I don't think so! Look at the stadium Quins play at - one of the top 3/4 in the league. Go somewhere like St Helens and you don't even have a roof or sink in the toilet! Then you add the mass development of numerous junior teams in the Capital and surrounding areas...Quins are up there with the top few teams on their community work.

So Quins have lost (with 70% of their first choice team missing) the first couple of games and sit at the bottom of the league. I don't really think this constitutes Quins being the worst team overall if you're looking at Licence renewals in Super League.

In fact, only crowd numbers are the main issue.....that and Ian Lenegan doing sweet FA to sell his shares in the club. Other clubs have large crowds but face equal problems elsewhere in their Licence renewal bid...

Its the fastest growing sport in the South East of England. More local and junior teams are being set up than anywhere else in England. Maybe this guy needs to actually LOOK for a team instead of just saying there isn't one....I mean, there are sure loads nearer than "up north"!

Totally irrelivant , you cannot control on field performance , therefore Quins have to find a way to attract more fan support , that is how they will be judged , as has been suggested , they either move [ again ] and follow the Wrexham situation of trying to find an area without any top flight sport , or they have to start to market themselves heavily , if this requires an increased financial contribution from the RFL , then so be it [ as long as any extra investement comes from the SL pot , and not from monies earmarked for other parts of the game ]

You can set up all the clubs you want , but that does not mean those players/officials/coaches will go down to watch Quins , Leigh have two of the top amatuer clubs in the country less than half a mile from the LSV , but very few players and officials from those clubs follow Leigh Centurions to any great degree

Playing and watching sport are two entirely different situations , and getting people to watch proffessional sport is a totally different problem to getting people playing it

Lewis is a pleb.

"Once we get people there, they will come back because it's a great sport."

Well they have had some big crowds and the people haven't returned. Why? Because the ground setup/atmosphere and more importantly the quality of rugby on the pitch is dire.

The proof is in the pudding, people have been to quins and not returned it is going to take huge effort to get people back.

Yet moronball is even worse and they attract loads!!!

So your point is........

Isn't "development" a different thing to "recruitment"?

I named 3 reasons, if you still can't understand my point then you are a pleb

You still have to recruit the 12/13 year olds to the scholarships, with the way the rules are going this side is going to become ever more competative. Wakefield and Cas are doing fine jobs but if they weren't around Leeds would pick up the pieces, although I agree with the point that the fertile area of the WMDC and the West Yorkshire region does need a good amount of clubs to service the supply.