Widnes are going to be playing on an artificial pitch next season;
rlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/15322946.stmrl

Is the Boxing Day fixture on this year?

Is an I-pitch the same as a 3G pitch? I've played 5 a side on the 3G pitch at warrington town and it's really good

Interesting move isn't it. Could well give them an advantage at home as players won't feel comfortable playing on it.

Perfect for "Tony's flat-track bullies"

It apparently doesnt freeze till below -6 but bet the game is called off for frozen pitch again

All team's will be allowed to have one training session on it before playing widnes to get the feel.

I-pitch, 3g pitch. Wtf next an HD 3D pitch with GPS?

I know, but an hour on a pitch won't be enough to get used to it. I suspect most teams will be finding the nearest available pitch of the same make and renting that for a week before their game at Widnes.

I'll admit I can't get my head round it. The only artificial pitches I've played on would leave you in A&E with severe burns if you played rugby on them. On a previous discussion on this someone said you can slide on them, but I can't imagine that. Can't wait to see it in action.

I've played against Leigh on their artificial pitch at LSV.

It's not actually that bad, you get the odd burn, but nothing like you used to get sliding around on the brillo pad-esq astro in high school.

It's not a bloody 1990's astronomer turf
One of the Guiness Prem Unuon sides are playing on one this current season. Sarries IIRC.

Thats not "next". We already use that technology sewn into the kits.

I reckon other clubs will be closely monitoring how this goes at Widnes and if it is a success then there may be a few more playing on this surface in the not to distant future.

There is one installed at the Saints training facility for all weather training so I doubt it would affect us very much. However i'm sure there are plenty in the country if clubs get twitchy about them having an advantage.