Quote: getdownmonkeyman "Can you expand on that?
I am at a loss how the RFL, can compete with a game that has an income stream from TV; Sky (double that of RL for the domestic game alone before you add in internationals and the Heineken Cup) and the BBC for the Six Nations. Factor in the incomes streams from home internationals, their commercial revenue alone from those games is probably more than the RFL's annual turnover.
The above paragraph may come across as almost the words of a RU apologist, but they are simple facts that reinforce the fact the RFU can, and do, prop up their clubs when it comes to the signing of RL players.'"
I've said this so many times that I'm now bored with it, but I'll say it one more time while you're asking.
Kids need to be discounted from the salary cap in some way - even if it's only a percentage of their wages. That will encourage clubs to develop more kids of their own, and make it a little bit easier for clubs to keep them when RU scouts come knocking.
You'll not stop them all going. You may not stop most of them going. But as things are, it's far too easy for RU. They know that our top sides are up to the cap - and as it's generally our top sides who have the good youngsters, they're easy to target.
That may not be to everyone's liking. It may be akin to heresy to those who feel the game must be protected from its wealthier clubs at any cost, but doing nothing is not an option.
