Which to me is the grey area surrounding this particular FA regulation. Who decides whether the pitch would be in an 'unfit' state if the game were to be played 24 as opposed to a 48 hour turnaround? Presumably this is DW's opinion/decision? DW trying to deflect any blame here.

The problem with that is that a club will be in breach of regulations if it does not give 10 days notice of a change of venue.

I'm pretty sure that no-one gives a flying french fancy about RFL rules, including the RFL themselves.

Couldn't be more true!

thats not as daft as it sounds....easy peasy to reach by train ....and holds a decent atmosphere

If that is the rule then the RFL have been a bit silly making the next round so close to the draw in the first place. the first match of the round is 10 days after the draw was made... not really giving clubs much of a chance to sort anything. Pretty much contradicts my earlier post saying we shouldn't be blaming the RFL but oh well.

I think it's fair to say that all party's involved have played their part in this ball's up.

The Captain suggested it , therefore its bound to be daft . Play it at the DW and then we'll all goback to Stockport for drinks . (FOC of course)

It seems to me that Whelan doesn't want to get on the wrong side of the powers that be in football. They almost certainly don't like the idea of PL clubs ground sharing but also accept the fact that the issue would be a potentially messy one if they tried to prevent it.
Even though the fuss about the DW pitch had nothing to do with rugby being played on it and he and every member of the ground staff knows that either the PL choose to ignore that or Whelan isn't willing to fight his corner and decided that the rugby can't play the day before so that he stays on their good side.

The Captain suggested it , therefore its bound to be daft . Play it at the DW and then we'll all goback to Stockport for drinks . (FOC of course)

Wigan RLFC knew LOOOOOONG before the draw this might happen and should have had a contingency plan lined up ready to roll out immediately after being drawn at home.

The fact that they are "locked in discussions" at this late stage is frankly ridiculous and is Wigan's fault, not the RFLs. It smacks of head in the sand hoping a relatively probable problem would just disappear.

I don't really mind when this game is played but it has to be played at the DW Stadium otherwise the CC credibility will be further eroded. I don't care what the BBC want. Sense has to prevail. The game will be a laughing stock if it is played anywhere other than the DW. I for one will think very seriously about attending the game if it is not at the DW.

The RFL haven't helped the situation by holding the QFs this year just two weeks before the end of the football season. Hold the ties in June and the problem goes away.