Exactly, until the talent pool over here is increased greatly then we are going to need to supplement our league with imports.

Why not concerntrate on improving our coaches?

Its no coincidence that the top coaches in SL and the NRL have the ability to turn poor players into good players and good players into world class players.

We really need to do something about the standard of english coaches before we even think about players - only then will we improve on the domestic and internation scene.

Would any NRL side touch any of the current english SL coaches?

Fair point, but you can say that about all aspects of the game really. Rugby league is massive in parts of Aus, therefore more people are watching the game, playing the game, coaching the game, refereeing the game etc. This isn't the case in England.

Before the Melbourne salary cap incident there was talk about us doing a deal with Melbourne. Supposdly that fell through (but we still got 3 Storm players). Perhaps that is what IL is looking to cement, happy to swap Slater for Sam, Mickey Mac for Smith for a year.

Very true - its a huge advantage and so is the weather!

However i feel quite strongly that there just isnt enough being done for young british coaches in the game - look at the difference in terms of mentoring between people like Tony Smith, Mike Maguire and then Steve Mcnamara, Brian Mcdermott - its a huge difference.

Iv been lucky enough to attend the coaching sessions that Madge held at Orrell last year and cant help but think that it should be people like Mcnamara attending them not just amateur coaches from Wigan - to listen to him speak about his methods and what he had to do to change Wigan was facinating and also if im honest quite shocking too!

Dont think IL went over their NOT to do bussines .

I dont think it was over a kit sponsor ect.

It will defo be players/Staff ect. He will go for that so it it comes down to money he is their to make that imideate call weather it worth paying the extra. I have a good feeling about whats coming. I hope i dont regret that last bit

Well said