There was a code of football overseen by the Rugby Football Union, then some clubs broke away and formed the Northern Rugby Football Union (later to become the Rugby Football League), sou you could say that Rugby League came out of Rugby Union.

I think some people might be surprised by the number of League players in the south who are, as you suggest, actually from the south.

Sure, it's a slow burner, but with League in London really taking off at grass roots level and the likes of Oxford's own Darrell Griffin turning out in Cup Finals and representing England...

It's easy to slag RL in the south, or anywhere outside of the heartlands, because the battle to get the media onboard is going to take decades. But the foundation is there, in that so many kids (and adults) are playing the game, and it's a really strong foundation. My hat goes off to all the folk who dedicate their lives - as many of them have to - to actually spreading RL.

Great article too. Cheers!