Whilst I agree with the general theme of your post, that it would be great to be able to tempt/keep the best players here, there is a major difference in how elite players are played and paid between the two codes and the significance given to club v international rugby.

Sure it's not quite as bad as cricket where 'Lancashire's' Jimmy Anderson plays virtually all of his cricket for England, but, in RU the international team is the one that the whole sport is geared up for and generates the cash to boot if you pardon the pun. If England had gone further how many games would a Mike Brown have played for Harlequins this year, not many, if any?

I'm not a real follower, but, Sale always seem to pick up when the 6 Nations is on, whilst the top teams lose most of their playing staff, is that good for the comp?

It will be a long haul to turn 'our' fortunes around, especially with only three competitive international teams. A regular calendar of competitions and tours would be a start and I would love the WCC to become a 'Champions League' type club competition with real prize money and prestige, instead of some half baked notion when there seems to be no strict understanding of the qualification, sorry invitation process and a need for the participating club to fork out a bond to cover the cost of a game against anyone from the southern hemisphere that can be bothered to interrupt their pre season

Sam has left Bath and is rejoining Souths according to the BBC

Just got it on the main news text, leaves with immediate effect can't say I blame him.

I thought he was going to Leeds to join up with Darryl Clark. ...? ? ? ?

Does immediate effect mean we'll see him play the last game against NZ?

Leeds declaring their interest in signing Sam Burgess is like me declaring my interest in a romantic weekend with Rachel Riley.

Both are not happening anytime soon.

Simple math equation to get the right answer to both. Beer + time.

Never give up on your dream!

id love him to go straight in the england squad, if only for marketing purposes, but the lad needs a break for a while.

Good question stranger things have happened non more so than how the tide is now turning, BBC Radio Five's Alastair Eykyn saying Burgess is a great loss to the sport having all the tools to become a fantastic player in union, but now we will never know.

Burgess was never given a fair chance he had far to many detractors, Unions loss.

Newsflash from Headingley

Leeds pack next year will include
Lee Mossop, Darryl Clark, Sam Burgess and Joe Westerman.

Let's see your laughing when Clark joins us in 2017 that's why Beau Fallon has only signs a 1 year.

dont forget they had also made a bid for Mickey Mac (to play as interchange with Clark or instead of, I cant remember which..!!)
And Ryan Brierley was another member of the "nailed on" club.

if it was another clubs fans making these claims they be laughed out till boxing day.... but we have to sit back and say "Aye well you're treble winners you're right... why would players want to play for our crappy clubs... come take as many as you want"

stupid a gullible award of the year goes to......

yea, we all thought we were signing thurston and gallen at their prime... no we really did.

think you need to go and smell the fear with sgt wilko