I have watched Union all my life and got into League 12/13 years ago when I moved to Wigan and much prefer league. The main reason why most league players don't have the impact of say Jason Robinson/Chris Ashton who in my opinion are the only players to successfully make the switch is down to space and time. Robinson/Ashton went into the same positions in RU as they played RL and that allowed them time and space. The likes of Farrell, Tomkins, Harris etc all went into positions on the gain line where they have no space or time. In RL you get 10meteres all the time every time in RU the hindmost foot. I am not convinced Burgess will make an impact at centre, and I have never understood this mentality that second rowers in league make good centres.... they are generally not quick enough nor have soft enough hands to craft openings. Time will tell

Yep. Exactly the same last year.

The same as last year yes, but as a day out to have a look at some of the younglings I'd actually like to have an option if you please. No problem trying to attract the corporates (also probably why Farrell is the guest speaker at the dinner - to appeal to the rah-rahs), but are there any figures from last year's event to back up the efficacy of this approach? Given that it's been going on between Broncos & Skolars for some years, has anything actually come from this "networking" attempt (sorry - hate that term).

It's actually more an indictment of the state of sport in Comps. The Bitch Thatcher started the wholesale sell-off of school land & her lick-spittle, Major carried it on with Blair & Brown not doing anything to reverse the problem.
The only places left that can conceivably grow our future elite athletes [iare [/ithe fee-paying schools, so it's no surprise (nor a problem, IMO) that a disproportionate number come from that direction.
Until we stop leaning so far towards academic subjects in curricula & cater for those people who are never going to remember Pythagoras' theorem let alone revel in Dickens or Maxine Peake as Hamlet (she was fab, by the way), then the demise of sport in state schools will continue until it crosses the point of no return. If it hasn't already.

I'm sure there'll be other opportunities for you.