Success breads success and players can see those who have switched codes and been successful playing the easier game for more money and greater international accliam is quite a draw,and the ones who don't break into the England side come straight back to league.

I really hope this doesn't turn into lets increase salary cap bollox so we can beat the aussies, because the only rosy future i see for league is one where the goal is to be cash rich and if that means asset poor so be it, hell Union have been cash rich asset poor for their entire existance and it hasn't stopped the media drooling over the 5/6 nations every year.

SHAUN McRAE ...OH NO SUCH LUCK..WERE STUCK WITH HIM IT SEEMS

People who say that losing a player to union is no worse than a retirement need to remember that the rugby union authorities were openly hostile towards the sport of Rugby League for a century, making every effort to destroy us. I think RL players should bear in mind that, had they got their way, there wouldn't be Rugby League.

Absolutely agree, many national institutions still go out of their way to marginalise our sport - thinking of paper based media for a start

It does sicken me to say this but we did have a good run on the best union players for a very long time though!!

Prior to being approached by Union Ashton was good.
They go on about the 90 mtr try for England but he scored a better one for us v Saints at KR around four years ago. We got thumped 48-10 but Ashton's try was brilliant. Noble moving him to fb didn't do anyone any favours. Remember his game at Wire? He is a loss.

Jason Robinson, Henry Paul were losses. Big Les and Hape were not losses as their League careers were almost over due to injury.

When Eastmond's departure is announced then the questions will be asked as to the position he'll play. He isn't a natural Union half. He aint a wingman nor centre so where are they to play him? When he does go it isn't a given fact he'll be a success.
Would not surprise me to see him back in League sometime in the not too distant future.

You are really "cjhatesunion" and I claim my £5

Sonny Bill was due to Toulon offering him a crazy amount of money. Money will always be a factor I am afraid!

Least down under the tables have turned and now it is Rugby League that has the big money and not Rugby Union. I doubt we will be seeing many big stars going over to the darkside anytime soon.

Also talking about losses to Union

Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor was big losses..

Nah, Ashton's overrated. Wales were abysmal in that match. With the exception of Toby "Hammer of the Welsh" Flood, both sides were equally dire. Ashton just got on the end of a bit of Flood genius.

And Italy have even less strength in depth than Wales. It was the injuries to too many key players that did for Italy.

Though 4 tries against the IRB 12th ranked team, decimated by injuries, is a decent start he's no better than any of the other "great league hopes". He may be a loss to League. It remains to be seen whether he's a gain to Union.

Score a try against a top 5 team Ashton, then we'll talk again.

Now Jason Robinson. THERE was a successful convert. The human try machine. No Shane Williams, but a DEVASTATING attacker in a successful English team. His selection scared opponents. NO other league player has done that.

Lesley Vainakolo was meant to be England's answer to Jonah Lomu. We in Wales found that highly amusing. Especially when he was dumped on his arrse by Ickle Shane. The Volcano is now only ever picked for Saxons (Ingerlund 'A')

you know what I find funny is when you heard the BBC commentators waxing lyrical over Sonny Bill's handling skills when NZ last came over.

Rugby League players have been showing these skills for years..

I think Sonny Bill will come back to Rugby League. One thing that he will always have in his head is that he missed out on NZ winning the RL world cup and 4 nations. I have no doubt that he would have loved to have been part of that team!

But being a Union All Black is hardly second best. They are the top team in the world at NZ's most popular sport, even if they ARE RUWC chokers.

As regards handling skills, All Blacks ALL have those skills. There's ferck all else to do in NZ than to handle one's balls, so no wonder they get good at it.

Ashton's first 3 tries were against Australia, 1 down in Sydney and 2 at Twickenham, one of which was a great 90 meter try, which got voted IRB try of the year.

Roger the rabbit!

Our biggest loss to Rugby Union is surrendering the name 'Rugby' and losing the opportunity to build our brand

The biggest lost is what happened in France.