You ought to try reading national newspapers. Or seeing as you are from Huddersfield, get someone to read them to you.

You might be surprised by this, but the sporting world doesnt cease to exist beyond Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Ps Gordon Brown is the current Prime Minister, Ford now do cars in other colours than black and small children are no longer put to work down the mines.

Very queer signing this if it comes off as he's 35

Is there a need to get insulting because someone has stated they don't know who someone is? I cannot at any point remember the poster claiming sport, or indeed life doesn't exist beyond the M62. He merely indicated he had no interest. I know plenty of people who would probably respond the same way when asked to name a Welsh Union player, yet their knowledge and understanding of the wider world and other cultures is vast - where it is of interest to them.

Further to that, I don't understand why you extend that to insulting an entire region. It is hardly what I'd consider a method for endearing people to your cause. Just over a decade ago, I shared a house at Uni with a lad from Pontypridd who had never eaten rice, and considered pizza exotic. He seemed to think that all English people were oppressors of his people, largely on the basis that Thatcher had closed down the pits in South Wales, having no understanding of the fact much the same devastation had occured on a grander scale in the Yorkshire coalfields. I neither held it against him, appreciating as I did that ingorance of some issues did not equate to general stupidity, nor did I generalise to assume all Welsh people were backward illiterates.

'Endearing people to my cause'???!!

I'm a Rugby Fan from Mid Wales, not Che Guevara

in a word yes there are a few pro players older but. Not many at international level to go much past 33/34 is unusual. However in the league not especially in the championship graham Dawe still turns out for plymouh and he must be nearly 50!

Farrell should have stayed in rl! He was to slow to be an ru centre and left it too late to learn to play flanker.

Ian Roberts in 1995

Is it though? Really? I don' t think RU fans can really have much justification for saying this. I think it's more a case of getting into territory and then seeing if they can't get some points. The majority of time this comes from the boot. The only time a team really goes for the try is when they are behind on the score board by so many points that it's their only hope. Most teams, if trailing by 6 points with 2 minutes to go, would still kick a penalty and hope there is still time for a drop goal rather than go for the try that could WIN the game for them.



It's not being pedantic, it's simplifying it. But you'll notice that even in this simplified model the ball is always in play. As we all know there are any number of exciting things that MIGHT occur in any game - RL, RU, Football etc - but none of them occur when the ball is out of play. Until RU sorts that element out RL will always have the edge on sudden unpredictable events.

Back to the topic, I'm sure that in some way - either on or off the field - Gareth Thomas would be good for the Crusaders. He might not have much of a career ahead of him but he could raise the profile enough for others to switch codes and once you have recognised names playing - I'm sure participation levels will increase as well. Surely the whole point of this venture is that there is more to it than simply the player and his ability. Otherwise who would offer a contract to a 36 year old RU player? Good luck to him and the Crusaders if it does happen.

I'm not old enough to remember that but I stand corrected old father time however he is the only current player.

I prefer Rugby League, but I do enjoy playing and watching Union as well, as do many others.

I personally would like to see one point for a drop kick/field goal (whatever you want to call it) in Union rather than the 3 you currently get.

This would hopefully put more emphasis on teams trying to score tries.


I cant see Thomas joining Crusaders, he is a South Wales man through and through. He is more likely to stay with Cardiff Blues in a coaching role rather than swap codes and move up north.

I think he would be good for RL if he did change though.

I prefered playing union back in the day when u could put the boot in on guys laying on the ball! Now guys dont make the effort to move and it slows the rucks down so much there is usually little option but to kick! RL is much better to watch! I think if he goes to crusaders it'll be player coach play a bi and help out the u18's or something.

Erm where have i said anything untoward about you, your country or the sport ?? i was merely, as a RL fan wanting to know how big a signing this would be in my preferred sport.
I have not claimed that the sporting world doesn't exist beyong the M62 corridor i stated i have no interest in Rugby Union be it in Wales, Yorkshire or Chinese Taipei !!.
If you choose to take that personally or as an opinion of my intellect then you do so, if you cant answer my queries on this subject in a civilised manner leave my posts alone and let someone who is willing to answer them sensibly do so !

Dale Earnhardt is a household name in Nascar racing, but few people will have heard of him on here (same principle).

End of the day it's a simple publicity stunt designed to try and drum up some interest in a doomed franchise.