I've never been to a live game but I actually enjoy watching Union. There are more differences than similarities with League; in particular at the set-piece and the breakdown. It took me a while but I have a basic knowledge of the game and I think that helps. The All Blacks are way ahead of the rest in terms of the international game but do get turned over occasionally.

The problem i always found watching RU at the ground, was that you could never see what was happening from 60 yards away.. Leagues open, running style is much better to watch in the flesh.

Totally agree with everything you say about League; I just think the comparison with Union is like comparing apples & pears.

Speaking as someone who went to most of the World Cup games and really enjoyed them, the grounds were pretty much full for every game.

BTW next time you watch a football international, let's say the Irish or even the French, count how many players were were born there. Count how many South Africans are in the England cricket team or how many Italians are in the Italian Rugby Union team. The make up of the Irish RL team is not so bad if you look at it that way. In any case Ireland has always been an exporter of labour since the 1850s, my Grandad considered himself Irish even though it was only his Grandad who was born there. My nephew was born to an Aussie dad and an English mum but lives in Sydney, and as such has dual nationality. I'm hoping that one day he will play for England. Maybe Adam Cuthbertson's dad thought the same about his son.

When it comes to nationality, things are no so cut and dried. Maybe we just need to chill, after all it's only sport.

Are you referring to the RLWC? What was the capacity on the grounds of the RLWC in comparison to Union? No contest. What were the national and worldwide viewing figures of the RUWC to RL? Again no comparison.

I spend time in Ireland, they don't even know there's 2 codes, let alone they have a national RL team as it's full of non-Irish players in comparison with the RU team, this is a reflection of the popularity of the sport in different countries which will only greaten after a successful RUWC.

Instead of giving me a history lesson into your family tree, look at how far behind league is in the international game; no comparison to Union.

We went to Limerick for the World Cup game v the Aussies in 2013. What a great l-o-n-g weekend!! I'd love us to take another International game there.

You seem to be very negative about the game you love. The Rugby League World Cup was brilliant.

Also, I always feel that historical context aids understanding. Sorry to bore you.

Not negative, that's just your interpretation of my comments. Historical comments about the sport might, you comments was once again; waffle.

just read through this but imo bit harsh on union,yes league is the better game but anybody watching the last 2 rl games against new Zealand will have fallen asleep

todays game was abysmal, Graham tried hard, thats about it, zero excitement, minimal skills, poor in the extreme

Yes, but at least tomorrow League will be good again, whereas Union will always be crap.

typical blinkered league view, they are different games with different skill sets, and are both enjoyable to watch, league edges it for me but I've seen plenty of exciting union games over the years,

I think you are mis-representing someones personal view as blinkered. I have watched and played both myself, and in my view Union is on the whole pretty dull to watch and play. The international games manage to lift the level but the club games are woeful.

maybe, but see the tread title, league seems to have a huge chip on its shoulder about union, no idea why, most union fans i know enjoy league and don't have bad thing to say about it, the world cup just gone did not produce one game as awful to watch as yesterdays bore fest, seems league is a better game at club level at the moment, maybe as Leeds fans we are spoilt in that respect

How do you know it's blinkered?

Do you think I'm commenting without ever having seen a Union match?

If you can't accept that not everyone is going to buy into the ludicrous hype that the media revels in about a game which, despite its many technical 'skills', is often teeedious to watch, I'd suggest you're on the wrong forum. In fact, I suspect you're on the wrong forum anyway. Pay lip-service to League all you want, but your indignant tone implies to me that you're not just some even-handed guy who feels mildly irked that 'one of his two favourite sports' is being slighted.

I'm sure there are plenty of Union forums where you can really let rip. I'd recommend you go there, because you're not convincing or fooling anyone on here.