I'm currently doing a piece of coursework that looks at the effect of overseas players on superleague clubs and the national sides. I've got a bit stuck with some of the research I have to do and thought who better to ask than some proper rugby fans!
I know its super league, but it is quite fun slating clubs! My main emphasis is on the number of overseas players in the high flying clubs, and the effect the aussies have had on Celtic. Please feel free to answer any questions you can, ever little helps!

1. What is the current quota for super league clubs regarding overseas players and how many 'homegrown' players, i.e those come through the clubs own academies must a club have?

2. Can anyone help me with any information at all about whats gone on with Celtic the last few years when they flew to super league? How, why, who let them do it etc, I lvoe rugby league but don't get involved in the politics!

3. What is the general thought to the expansion of rugby league, particularly with the introduction of Toulouse and South Wales?

4. The Magic Weekend. Is it a good idea to have it in different cities away from the typical M62 corridor?

5. Do overseas players spoil the game?

6. What effects have overseas players filling shirts in super league every week had on the number of players able to show off their talent to get into the national sides?

7. What impacts has SkySports coverage had on crowd attendance's? Is it a good/bad thing putting more money into clubs? Is it going to the right clubs? Is it being spent the right way?


If anyone else has any other input they think might help then please feel free! Im finding it quite difficult to find all the information I need!

Thank you!

Right Fuz. I will try my best to help here.

3. Toulouse & South Wales. Introduction of Toulouse annoyed afew with their exemptions from relegation and placed straight in the Championship.
South Wales not sure as it just came out of the blue with their introduction.

4. Magic Weekend. I personally like it. Not sure with the current format for fixtures, i think most fans would like derbies, Leeds v Bradford, Saints v Wigan, HFC v HKR etc. Did the 1st year in Cardiff & Edinburgh last year. People say Murreyfield is too far out of the city centre, but that doesnt stop people going to Wembley or Old Trafford, which are even further of the centre of London & Manchester, but that doesnt stop people going there.

5. No because I think its good to see top australian test players on show every week. Matt King had a slow start at warrington, but is now back at his best. And who wouldn't like to see Darren Lockyer play a couple of seasons in Super League before he retires.

6. Not alot really if its done properly. St Helens do well at mixing both, brought through good players over the last few years, Like James Roby, James Graham and recently Kyle Eastmond. They havent gone ott on the aussies/kiwis, only Jamie Lyon, Jason Cayless and Matt Gidley.

7. I think very little affect on the attendance. In fact when its national leagues, it draws a bigger crowd.

There you go fuzzy. Hope that helps, got stuck on 1 & 2. but was able to answer the rest .

1) I don't know the numbers for heartland clubs but Sky Text page 331 says Crusaders allowed 14 because of their location.

2) Celtic were set up 4 years ago to exploit the fact that South Wales is a hotbed of Union talent but only has 4 pro clubs (Cardiff, Swansea, Llanelli and Newport). They started in NL2 and got promoted in I think their 2nd season then lost in GF in NL1 following season and won a Super League franchise on the back of that success, but mainly it has be said because of their location. This infuriated many fans of other clubs (particularly Widnes) who felt their vastly superior fan base should have counted for more.

3) I'm all for expansion, if we're going to compete with the likes of Union we need to playing professionally in more than just Northern England, Eastern Australia and New Zealand. It needs to be done in a fashion though that doesn't alienate fans from the heartland areas.

4) It's a good concept as it's a weekend away for heartland fans, brings added tv exposure to the sport and potentially locals will enjoy it and take up the game.

5) If they're world class players, fine. In my opinion there are too many over here who aren't though.

6) If they're world class they'll give younger players something to aspire to, if they're mediocre they're hindering talented youngsters coming through.

7) Andysilden's got it spot on there.

Hope that helps a bit.