Neither do I. I begrudge the RFL for letting it happen.

That may be a simplistic response, given the financial power the two codes enjoy (or in our case don't enjoy), yet it frustrates me the way RU seems to have come on in leaps and bounds in so many ways (except on the field, I hasten to add) since they went full-time pro, and yet we haven't. As a game overall, we haven't developed ourselves as a business, we havent created a stronger international dimension to make us a more attractive prospect, or improved our standing in the eyes of the UK at domestic level - if anything we're less visible now than we were in the days when Shaun Edward plied his trade in Cherry and White.

For this reason, I can never celebrate the sight of our guys doing well in Union, either as players or coaches, because it just reminds me how inadequate we are, even though we have by far the better product.

Might I remind you, Wigan Warriors use to be called Wigan R.U. and my grandfather was very proud to be a follower, as indeed he was equally proud to watch them, when they become Wigan R.L.

Without Wigan R.U. there would not have been the Wigan Warriors we watch today. I feel your comments are not only negative, but also extremely unnecessary.

And without soccer there would be no rugby union. So what?

Wigan were never called Wigan RU as far as I am aware.

Wigan were and perhaps still should be called (The) Wigan Football Club.

Wigan, Hull and Oldham are examples of where the first football club to form in a town played the oval ball game (although some clubs weren't sure which code of football - association or rugby - to play). Which is why when people formed soccer clubs in those towns/cities had to find different names for those clubs (Athletic/City).

That's my dull factoid for the day.

I refer the honorable gentlemen to the point I made earlier.

Rugby Union is a horrible sport played by, watched by, commentated on by horrible people. (IMO!!)

Some very bitter comments on this thread, nobody cared or commented on Union until they started pinching our best young players, and why wouldn't they, they are a bigger, more worldwide sport with a lot of money. Its not RU I hate, its the RFL for sticking with the communist cap as it is and letting this happen.