So it could hurt "some clubs", but overall, the long term prospect is a good thing for British RL?

That 29 million sports England provided the RFL with, is that only to be used on junior development or can the RFL spend it any way they choose?

They can spend it pretty much as they want, but they will have to show an ROI in the eyes of sport england if they want any more. Stuff like getting schools playing the game etc will be key to being seen to do the right thing. Development outside of SL.....as the SL clubs have their own hand outs from uncle rupert

ahhh, ok.

best be spending big on junior development to get some cash again.

that just about sums up the situation,doesn't it ?

and the game will continue to plod on in europe but at an even lower level - unless of course a bigger uk tv deal is done to play 'keep-up'.

No, it's a very bad thing for domestic Rugby League. We can't sustain a SL with 8 teams of English players never mind 14, the standard will drop dramatically in an instant.

So yes we'll have a load of kids, all of which will be used to playing an average standard. It'll be like Ireland and Wales at soccer where their best players play in the premierleague and we'll never get close to NRL hardened players.

We need a quota system that is not challenged, reduce the imports slowly without reduces the quality of the competition. The need to grow our game is paramount to increase the cap so we keep good players here.

To back that up, it widely regarded by people in the know in Australia that the standard of the NRL has dropped due to losing too many players to salary cap restrictions (lower leagues and retirement) and Super League. Phil Gould has been suggesting for a few years they need to bring 'their' players back as they need them.

They have better depth of talent and they've struggled so you can only imagine the problems it will cause over here when the NRL get their new TV money without SKY having a negative influence on negotiations.

Big payday for the NRL = a poor SL.

I see your point, but Rugby League should no longer settle for second best and accept we're a inferior sport and competition.

It'll de-value Super League when most of the better players are playing in the NRL. It will truely be a second rate competition. We have to grow the sports revenues through working with the clubs, expansion and greater TV revenues long term.

you're right of course it will devalue the SL if money isn't pumped into SL to give it a chance to keep up.
But we,the humble fan,can do very little to change this trend.If the overall quality drops,then so be it.It doesn't mean we have to stop liking and following our sport,just accept the lower standards,realise we will be even further behind the big two internationally and just get on with it.
You can't change the inevitable....

surely the question should be. why do we import overseas players in the first place?

it is a quick fix, laziness on the part of the SL teams. spend more time and money on good scouting and good coaching and develop our own players.

there are loads of very good players in the lower leagues that with full time training and good support would be easily good enough to play at SL level yet are not given the opportunity.

The rules regarding home grown players takes time but the first shoots are definitely showing-Cas last night had a number of good kids playing, Quins have 10 + in there 25, Wigan as ever have a great through put, Leeds with BJB, Watkins continue with great youth, Saints etc. The future is like what we all want. I suspect clubs will steer clear of the NRL going forward- Big money doesnt always produce big performances from them