You don't have a point, You talk about London and Newcastle as though they've just been discovered by you, so you should be pleased to know they've been going some time now as most people are already aware of, it's not a brand new point though is it it's just an extension to your previous rants about the North Americans and just another avenue to go down in your attempt to discredit this expansion to the game, my amateur censorship as you call it is nothing more than petty sarcasm on your part and just an opinion of mine and does you no favours.

Firstly,I concur.I do not decide what is on/off topic - but as you started this thread,gave it the title Newcastle Thunder,it would probably be better to discuss Newcastle Thunder.

Secondly,perhaps you should explain the idea behind 'academies',their purpose and benefit.

With the 80% Hull fans - how come their academies were so successful they decided to merge? How many academy products made it into the first teams over recent years?

This academy stuff,in association football,has resulted in the richer clubs 'signing' future 'academy' players,from overseas,at a very,very young age.It kinda defeats the object of raising the 'elite ability' of local players.

Meanwhile,the successful academies here in Ol' Blighty,hasn't got us close to the pesky Australians,in Test and World Club games.

But as long as the heartland clubs,with no money and small attendances,are happy...

100% of fans of every club would really like you to stop referencing that irrelevant poll.

Last time I looked if Ottawa and NYC come to fruition, then that is an extra 30 odd full time positions for players. That's expansion.

Not if those 30 odd positions are filled to the brim with past it journeymen from the NRL. Which they will be.

"IF"

IF

I can't believe you have any doubts! They can pay low level players what they want and those lads will take it all day, but to what purpose?

Superleague can't get rid of Toronto fast enough so good luck with your Transatlantic Championship. Anyway if we can expand Superleague north and south to London and Newcastle then we need to look to Wales again for further expansion.........

Well nothing is decided yet, but obviously it has come out that Toronto had to pay their players massively over the odds to get them. As it was the league was set up as such that TWP could go through the leagues for four seasons and a fifth next year before the New TV deal.

But the new 2022 TV deal will be struck by Superleague this time and not the RFL, so players will know signing up to North American clubs means they won't be playing Superleague ever. It's for another thread but New York are busting a gut to get established before Superleague shut the door. I can't however see any decent players signing one year contracts.

Back on topic any ambitious up and coming players would be better signing up for London and Newcastle

I think you'd best wait until the Coronavirus impact on the sport of Rugby Union is established.

Both clubs play at union stadia and that sport also has financial problems.

Should the Falcons fail to be promoted will the owner continue at Newcastle? It would seem a large outlay for two sides and neither side being in the 'elite' league allocated large TV revenue.

A long stoppage will certainly be felt in London.The private equity firms financial assistance may be limited to the 'elite' clubs.

Just on your last point.

If we have a 12 club top flight, with say, 6 overseas clubs, we will be further away than ever, from competing with, never mind beating the Aussies.
Not only that, but with "English" players spread even further around the globe, getting them together to train as a national squad will become even more difficult.

I think that you just popped one into your own net

I don't have an own net,or feel embarrassed.

I still wait for the next Ellery Hanley to emerge from an Academy - same as England soccer fans wait for success while the Academies eat up and spit out youngsters signed from around 8 yrs old,to all play and all be wrapped in cotton wool,and all play to the same style,and tactics.

We lag behind other countries in sport,and apparent pandemics.It's all short-termism,wherever I look.

The constant changing with regard to ages,and player pathways,not forgetting some clubs are allowed reserve sides and academies,and then they're not! It may sort itself out one day...

History would suggest otherwise.

Good luck to Newcastle Thunder (if & when this season continues) or if not, hope they can stay around for 2021.