The Lions tour is not really as massive as some people make out. It's a niche interest just like RL is or like say the Ryder Cup in golf, its really big to people that are in to that sport but it doesn't reach out outside the sport. It's going to be dwarfed by the cricket Ashes and by Wimbledon for the two weeks Wimbledon is on.

There won't be any momentum in this country from a World Cup because a rugby league world cup just doesn't capture the imagination of the public, even the rugby league public.

England will lose to Australia in the opener and then beat Ireland and Fiji, then it will be one of PNG or Samoa or France and then defeat to NZ in the semis. We know exactly who is going to win every one of those games so there will be no suspense.

Then there will just be all the carping on here about it being because of McBanana and various players from (insert club you don't like) who are not up to international level, Sinfield, Ellis etc.

The spelling is fine (spellcheck is wonderful isn't it?) the grammar made it very hard to read. I withdraw my earlier remark.

I think you are trying to say that Origin is different than RL in the UK in terms of it's appeal.

You are missing the point, but that is to be expected. Hopefully others may see the angle.

Like the idea of bringing an Origin game over here - would kill to go and see it...

If the fans won't get behind the international game then we've only got ourselves to blame. And i completely agree that for RL to survive we need a strong presence in London and France. To many mediocre teams and players in the north as it is...

I went on an international tour in 2011 to Jacksonville, Florida ad played in a Tri-Nations style tournament against the Jacksonville Axemen and Helensburgh Tigers (Aus).

The set up they have an these AMNRL clubs is incredible - 1500 seater stadia (which was full for all the games), cheerleaders (have to love them don't we?), full coaching set up with Dr's and physios, assistant coaches etc. it really does rival the Championship clubs over here.

The playing standard of the Axemen was brilliant, although we beat them by 30 points or so (we were on fire that day), we lost to the Aus team and the Axemen then beat the Aus team rather convincingly - meaning we won on points difference!

What I'm getting at is that RL in the USA is as BK implied - a sleeping giant. If any of you get chance to go to Jacksonville I would urge you to go and take a game in at University of North Florida (JA's home ground). I promise you you will be amazed at the quality on show.