but the 3rd marquee cannot be used on nil players can it it has to be uk based players it was about helping clubs retain players and stop them going to the NRL ?

It’s deeper than a kick up the ass.
We will always get up for a short revival every now and again, and a CC, but we will never have the annual consist top 3, unless we match them with the youth structure.
To allow Saints to pick up all those Wire lads for their academy was nothing short of impotent.

All this marquee thing is just hiding the fact that the NRL is just growing and growing. 2 Billion 5 year tv deal and looking at possible 72 million on audience on main pay Channel when they play in Las Vegas. They have deals with 3 main broadcasters.

Seen a post today that concerns its self with IMG basically bending the rules to keep London in the league based on the criteria. End of if we don’t starting growing the game here and finding more funding the marquee rule will be a waste of time because the NRL are just going to to take the best of the talent from here because they can pay way above what we can offer. So London whatever a season they have need to stay and we need more southern teams.

When was this? Those a few years ago? Which ones are in St Helens first team now?

Too much self interest from Wigan.
Wigan have so much influence over other clubs, the game will never grow.