just been pottering around this morning to see a brief glimpse which was the wale vs SA match, havnt watched union since my time in OZ which is alot different then british standards, faster more like league, but if this is what 4 billion alleged people tune in for, the players dont even seem to know the rules, the ref blowing up every minute for unknown reasons, and the unintelligble way that they run back into the mauls, i thought they said this was the smart rugby type? I would love to see and to show off to the masses another trial union vs league match like bath and wigan back in 96. wigan destroyed bath, in league and where only beat by insane rules in the next match. they say league is inferior well this would be a great time at the moment to prove what standards our game is at. If memories serve, after these test matches were held union changed alot of there tactics. LONG LIVE LEAGUE

Union might be alright if they threw in a few play the balls rather than just rolling around on the floor

I appreciate both games, although I prefer league.
Anyone who thinks union is a softies game, clearly has no playing experience to back that up.
I'm not a big fan of the value of kicking in union, but that's how it is, equally I'm not keen on the shoulder charge in league, scrums and the play of the ball following a completed tackle.
I've made great mates playing both games, all love their game and show courage and skill in playing it.

If people talk about rugby, I just assume they mean league. I can't seriously see how union is called sport. It's more like an even duller version of chess.

If anyone can explain to me why they kick it from one end of the field to the other for a few minutes in every game and why they just randomly kick the ball into touch every so often I would be much obliged. It always strike me as a bigger version of all pile on but with a rugby ball thrown in.

RL is in my opinion a lot better watchable sport but administrively & globally RU is light years ahead of our game. Even regional media such as radio leeds has one night of its sports programme dedicated to union & there is only leeds carnegie who play it professionally it in yorkshire & tey are not even in the premiership.

It reminds me more of those saloon brawls you used to see in old western movies.

Agree.
But similarly I did enjoy the Welsh game today, although ruined by unintelligible rulings by inept referees, then again what's the difference!

Yorkshire Radio do a weekly RL show, as well as commentaries and an NRL one too! Radio Leeds is a load of cack anyway.

Union has a long history in the forces and in universities which has forged long lasting links in industry and the media. It's also why it's frustrating that the televising of the Varsity match gets a regular slagging on these boards when one of the aims of it is to attract new blood from other walks of life to the sport, the potential sponsors of the future.

Agree, I grew up playing both games, Union at school and League at local club and loved both and still enjoy watching both, although I can understand why some people find Union frustrating and boring.

administration and the national game - union is best (and i hate to say that). it is the internationals and especially the 5/6 nations that prop up union (as well as the old boys network)

everything else, league is so far in front they can't even see us!!!

a ball in the hand is better than one in the stand.

You are 'avin a larf! There are too many rules surrounding the bit where they are all on the floor and the ref can give a penalty for one of a thousand infringements depending on his mood. Can you imagine the flack from Wakey fans after everyone that went against us

How unprofessional did the England team look wi shirt numbers hanging off,typical England.Gimme league anyday.

As oppose to our International team that employ coaches not good enough to coach in the top flight of the domestic game. There is much to criticise union for but the professionalism of its International set up is not one of them.