I think Sale Sharks got around 7,500-8,000 on this season. Salford are way off that.

Thought as much mate.

[url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/rugby_league/3615202/Crusaders-launch-a-bid-for-Mike-Phillips.htmlMike Phillips to rugby league?[/url

USA 8-87 England Saxons
England scorers:
Brown 2, Johnson, Young, Sharples, Penalty, Hodgson, Kitchener, Trinder, Benjamin 3, Twelvetrees
Con: Clegg 11


Is the Churchill Cup valid?

I don’t want to depress myself but I am sure that if I searched through the on-line and printed press I would find many many mentions of the plucky US team and the ‘sublime’ skills of the English players – all of which continues to validate the international sport of Rugby Union (as similar scorelines in the Union World Cup will)

Whereas a similar result in a full international between England and France in Rugby League leads us to drop the fixture... I can’t express the frustration I feel when our sport continuously talks itself down

Heartbreaking, isn't it?

It absolutely is – Rugby league has been such a big part of my life but I get so frustrated seeing it shoot itself in the foot over and over again – it isn’t losing at international level that upsets me these days it is the inability of teams (administrators and fans alike) to see the big picture and actually say and do something positive for their sport

[url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/8560198/London-Irish-future-in-doubt-ahead-of-planning-application-appeal-says-chief-executive.htmlLondon Irish future in doubt according to the Torygraph.[/url Talk about an overreaction. '[iMartyn Thomas, the chairman of the Rugby Football Union, is to appear as an expert witness in support of London Irish’s appeal, which is to be held at the council offices in Knowle Green, Staines, and is expected to last for three weeks. Quentin Smith, chairman of Premiership Rugby, has also backed the appeal.[/i' I wonder which way the ruling will go. (Bottom of the article, Jason Robinson has gone East.) Seems like only yesterday when Newcastle Falcons were crowing about capturing one of rugby league's brightest talents. www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ll_KR.html

[url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/8560198/London-Irish-future-in-doubt-ahead-of-planning-application-appeal-says-chief-executive.htmlLondon Irish future in doubt according to the Torygraph.[/url Talk about an overreaction. '[iMartyn Thomas, the chairman of the Rugby Football Union, is to appear as an expert witness in support of London Irish’s appeal, which is to be held at the council offices in Knowle Green, Staines, and is expected to last for three weeks. Quentin Smith, chairman of Premiership Rugby, has also backed the appeal.[/i' I wonder which way the ruling will go. (Bottom of the article, Jason Robinson has gone East.) Seems like only yesterday when Newcastle Falcons were crowing about capturing one of rugby league's brightest talents. www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ll_KR.html

I wouldn't be so sure it's the fait accompli you think it is - that's real NIMBY country down there, so unless someone on the council has suddenly found themselves in receipt of a large padded envelope then Irish could have a hard time justifying why they want to sell the land for development.

But do you really think a knock-back would see an end to the club? I know London Irish are one if the Premiership clubs to make a loss but surely things aren't that bad. Newcastle lose two good young players to Leicester. news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_u ... 710085.stm Kieran Brookes and Micky Young are two big losses. I reckon they could both go on to play for England. Newcastle are really going to struggle next year.

But do you really think a knock-back would see an end to the club? I know London Irish are one if the Premiership clubs to make a loss but surely things aren't that bad. Newcastle lose two good young players to Leicester. news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_u ... 710085.stm Kieran Brookes and Micky Young are two big losses. I reckon they could both go on to play for England. Newcastle are really going to struggle next year.

BBC Sport: All Black Donald signs for Bath.

E-I-E-I-O!

Just reading some of the comments on the VT and Wigan board about Friday's international is despairingly depressing and annoying at the same time. As has been pointed out, if we win it'll be because we were playing a bunch of washed-up, over the hill NRL rejects. Those same rejects who are world class when playing in club colours. If we lose we'll be a laughing stock and it will be a perfect example of why international rugby league is a waste of time. Always has been, always will be.
Despite poor crowds and some one-sided games (the USA lost 44-13 to an understrength Tonga on Wednesday) I haven't read much criticism of the current round of international union in the press or on forums.