Anyone who thinks rugby league in this country isn’t dying is deluded

Amateur participation is the lowest in history.

Players are earning less than they were 20 years ago when you factor in inflation. A massive amount less

No one outside of rugby league towns or cities could name a player who plays for England like they could 20 years ago

It’s on life support on this country

Rugby League is seeing record numbers of viewers on SKY TV
Rugby League in the 2nd tier just witnessed a covid impacted season where teams like Batley, Halifax and Bradford were challenging for honours
Rugby League has just agreed a FTA TV deal which will showcase the sport to a wider audience
Rugby League has professional sides in London, Coventry, Wales, Newcastle....3 sides from Cumbria in the 2nd tier and now 2 French sides in the top flight.

Is it as fit a butchers dog? Nope....nowhere near, but it is far from dying.

20 years ago we had a 7,500 average an 9 million a year from SKY and were locked away in the SKY locker

Now we have 30 million, 8,500 average and exposure on FTA TV......hardly on its deathbed!

There's a FTA TV deal ???

Are you referring to the BBC showing the men's & women's England international next weekend, or is there something for the domestic game too ?

Stick to rugby Union then you nonce.

As I understand it, the "new' SKY deal includes games shown on FTA platforms. Given the days of "rabbit ear' Ariels are gone, I'd suggest that this means on a digital platform, but FTA all the same. The viewing figures SKY get for these FTA games will hopefully encourage the likes of C4 or C5 to at least enquire as to future partnerships.

Then there's the challenge Cup on the BBC, England internationals and the Challenge Cup...not forgetting the RLWC later in the year.

2022 might see the most live Rugby League on FTA TV that we've ever had.

Bundle this up with a wide open second tier comp as well as 2 French sides in the top tier and 2022 could be a fantastic year for the sport in the Northern Hemisphere!

I seem to recall there being 1 or 2 games on BBC Grandstand most weekends with Regal Trophy games, proper International tours and then the Challenge Cup. Days like that again would be great.

Poor attempt at getting a few bites here, by suggesting RL in London and Wales is somehow viable and people in those places want to play it in numbers and watch it in even bigger numbers, and have investors in those areas ready to put ££Millions in. Then add to the usual bait of an an attack on a Superleague club this time wigan.

For others who may bite, RL in London first surfaced in the early 1900's in London with major RL internatiionals, and as club sides with rich owners in the 1930's so it was tried and failed big time. London is used to Soccer as the biggest game and vastly prefer to invest in that, they also prefer Rugby union to the near total exclusion of league.

But of course we must take all the SKY money off Mr. Lenegan and give it to Mr. Hughes. If you haven't got a sensible idea for a discussion then please don't bother, and please don't start on me because I ain't interested in this garbage : .

That desperate for bites!!!!!! I've never seen real fans of the top rich sides coming up with stuff like this that would be stale bait from anyone. It's the old "one two" again tell RL fans their game is stuffed and they are suffering mental illness

Pack it in will you.......Do the mods a favour......

I seem to have attracted a self proclaimed defender of the RL faith and part time troll hunter. I apologise if I overstepped the mark, but EVERY post starting with a critique of imaginary trolling is tiresome. He really needs to get a life.

Back the subject in hand.

The game isn't in the rudest of health but it is by no means on its deathbed. My personal belief is that clubs like the London's and Wales's as well as Coventry need to be nurtured. If the money isn't there, then it's up to those clubs to find a way, but the money is there.....just the SL clubs are hoarding it in total disregard to the reality that these smaller clubs are where the future talent often start off.

Londons conveyor belt of talent is paying dividends....I hear great reports about the kids coming through at Coventry.....these may never be top tier teams, but they are as key to the game as Wakefield or Bradford......but there are some so called RL fan who think we shouldnt bother south of Widnes.....It gets their backs up that Catalan and now Toulouse are self funding clubs not relying on away fans or SKY handouts.....I'd hazard that Toulouse, Catalan, Wire, Leeds, Saints and Wigan are the top 6 next year, maybe the Hulls 7th and 8th and the rest scrambling to avoid oblivion.

In the 2nd tier, if Batley and Fev can maintain their 2021 form, I suspect theyll be hammering Wakefield and Salford in the SL2 or whatever its called in 2023....

Over to you Wakey and Bradford fans whadya think

I totally agree, they would be great. Sadly it will never happen again

thinking back you remind me two other posters call me god and axe2grind are you the mutation of these