Credit to the daily mail - they have had some of the better rl articles I've read.

That is the first time I have ever read anything in the Daily Mail that I managed to stick with past the first paragraph!

This bit made me laugh:

"This has also been a red-letter week for big brother. Joel, who is likely to play outside centre, took part in his first training session in the alien world of rugby union on Tuesday, daunting enough without being coralled into the middle of a circle of team-mates and required to perform various daft dances and jigs. Not the sort of initiation ritual you would see 'up North'."

If ever you were looking for the stereotype of Union as a jolly ex-public school game to be reinforced there you have it. Pranks on the playground.

It wouldn't have been the least bit surprising if a "soggy biscuit" was mentioned!

I honestly thought it was French them being cheese eaters, but to my surprise its origins are australian, says a lot really

Wasn't that why Anthony Gelling got the boot?

I do sometimes find the comments and bigotry about anything that is not League or left wing papers sad. Why do you think we are treated like we are and also just think why do our best and most respected players go to Union taking their sons with them OK money talks but so does ambition to do the best you can for your family?

DaveO said basically he won't read the Daily Mail many won't but many do and just because they are able to do this does not make them any less able than you to give opinion.

Unfortunately these boards become too vitriolic about anything that is not League or left wing and normal middle of the road people who are prepared to debate rationally issues e.g. Union or League and the inverse sobbery that may exist become difficult.

I picked up the Daily Mail in the chippy the other night and I never cease to be astonished at its bias on anything political but it's not just right wing it's a right wing rag. I can read the Telegraph even if it does not reflect my political views because it's not so blatantly bonkers. The Mail and most tabloid are so obviously sensationalist in their own different ways I can't stand any of them.

As to the quote I highlighted from the article I am very familiar with Rugby Union culture and it's different from League. My son plays for Chester junior colts and I have been involved with the RU club for years so don't start going on about bigotry to me. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest something like that happened to Joel on his first day and I had a wry smile to myself when I read it because it does go with the territory.