Being an England supporter you HAVE to say that.

Maybe thats why your national team havent won anything since the 1970's?

Nothing to do with that. I care about world RL more than Wigan... that won't change even if we start winning things again.

I would love more than anyone else to see RL played to a high level in as many countries as possible.

I applaud your love of the game but sadly it's not going to happen.

RL is a sport that is only reasonably popular in the North of England, along the east coast of Australia and in PNG.

Thats about it. And thats the way it will always be.

so it isnt popular in a country where its the national sport?

Disagree, the south of france is buzzing, I have friends who were season ticket holders at Lyon and now watch catalans as much as they can instead, many people around the country are behind them also. The same will happen when Toulouse get in super league, and then if the paris team can be 1/4 of the success then RL will take off even more in France.

You know my opinions on PNG.

North of England yes, but there are other success stories as well. There is still potential for other areas.

In Australia the NRL is massive and will continue to grow, its the best product in the world to sell!

There is plenty of potential for growth in NZ as well, their national side has just as much quality as aus, this is great for the game.

Wales is in such early stages in terms of the modern game, give them time, yes they will never be as big as Wigan and Leeds but surely it won't do any harm to have as many smaller clubs as possible playing the game even if they do only get small crowds, it will also do wonders for the Welsh international game.

There has been talk of Scotland and Ireland getting in on the super league act in years to come.

Look how well Ireland did in the WC, all be it with foreign players but their is potential.

Just go on Wikipedia and find out how many different countries rugby league is played in, I am not saying they will all develop competitions like the NRL as big as that but there is potential for smaller leagues and then building blocks for bigger competitions and inspiration to take into the international game.

I am not saying RL will take over the world, but it is currently no where near its potential, RU is making the most of what it's got, we however, are not.

I disagree in the long term they have the potential to be bigger, as they represent a nation,a nation with a love of rugby (admittadley manily union at this time), if they they can realise that potential is the question.

Sorry but Leeds and Wigan have been building for over 100 years. Even in that time maybe they will grow but they will never be able to take 30,000 to a cup final because everyone loves Union. Wigan and Leeds will get bigger in time as well.

spoken like a true shirefolk! Sadly it's the same attitude that has meant 100 hundred years on the game is still largely confined to the areas you mention. There's a spot on the NRL commision and the RLIF for you!

Yes union is more popular but isnt the whole exercise about converting this love of union to a love of league as well? how do you know how many they will be able to take to a cup final in say 20 years?

strange i thought australia took to rl rather well after we expanded the game over there.

or how about this.

You love milk chocolate

You've had milk chocolate all your life and think its the best ever. However milk chocolate is all you've ever tasted and as much as you love it it has become normal.

Then someone comes along and tells you that there is a new chocloate, white chocolate. They sell it in such a way that it sounds brilliant and you are all excited about tasting it. AFter the first bite you realise that it is actually very very good. Whilst you may always remain a milk chocolate lover you come to appreciate that there is aplace in your life for white chocolate and forever more indulge in it. If only you had had the opportunity to try white chocolate when you was younger!

Fortunately Barry the majority of people out there are more open minded and , to some degree more gullible to advertising and influnce!

I'm realistic at least.

In the near term we arent going to get 30,00 fans but how do you know what will happen in 20 years? if you have tried to sell the idea of sl to someone in 1976 they would have had you sectioned. You havent given me one reason why they cant get such attendances in 20 years. Maybe they will, maybe they wont but i see no reason to right them off before they have even really started.

I have. Too many people love Union and are arrogant to league. There will never be enough fans for that to happen. Even Hudds, the birthplace of RL cannot take 30,000 fans to wembley.