By the way - Can anyone tell me just exactly WHY French (and Russian) clubs were/are allowed in to the ENGLISH Challenge Cup?

I can understand them in SL. after all, it is the European SuperLeague.

However, the cup is OURS.

I never believed that the French should be in it, and this situation just makes me believe that even more.

And as to this

Thanks - You just proved my point, if that really IS what they think.

Let them go back to playing in a cráppy, provincial cup within France. Especially if they can't be ârsed to travel over here for a pre-arranged game.

Ah but the flat cappers can't understand that.

If by "flat cappers" you are referring to me (or people with the same opinions as me on this subject), feel free.

The fact is that LEZIGNAN (the club - Not the players) asked to be allowed in to OUR cup competition.

Regardless of what jobs their individual players hold, the TEAM has to be available as and when required to play the cup games.

How about if the RFL try to arrange the game for a Wednesday evening, but Lezignan refuse, because half of their team have to work.

What then? Wait for a free weekend, or even delay a Championship fixture for Widnes?

Why should Widnes be forced into a fixture backlog, just because the French side can't get a team together - After all, that's what they're saying isn't it?

They are telling us that they should be given special dispensation to play the game as and when THEY want to, just because their players have to work.

As far as I'm concerned - TOUGH !!!!!

You wanted in, you got in - Now play by the rules or not at all.

All home wins.

Great draw for us! Hopefully wire will be out.

We just need another easy draw after this and we are in the semis, I'm happy with that.

What, you think Wig-nes or froggies will beat a full strength Wigan team in 3 weeks?

Come on mate, Wigan dont stand a chance, were talking the cream of rugby league in Widnes.

Hope we get some players back from injury, or we will get stuffed.Can we borrow ben davies and liam farrell so it will even the game up please. Serious looking forward to you bringing a decent following, as i am fed up of clubs bringing a taxi load.

Good draw for us. If we win, would want either the Halifax or Barrow tie in the QF's.

Just hope they get the Widnes game sorted asap so that we know what day we will be playing.

So in 1992 Wigan should have been made to forfeit the Cup game v Warrington as they were in Australia playing in a sevens competition?

What a load of utter cr@p.

IMO - Yes.

Either that, or send a team of kids.

Whatever it takes to fulfil your COMMITMENT to the competitions that YOU CHOSE to sign up to.

(And no - I wasn't around for that game, and have no idea whether you're posing a hypothetical or a real question. Although I assume from your tone that this situation actually occurred).

The simple fact is, if you ASK and then COMMIT to be in a competition every year, then you are committed ALL the time - NOT just when it suits you.

So the circumstances that meant they couldn't make it are irrelevant?