I don't think a merger would ever be on the cards. But perhaps a joint stadium would be more feasible

You're right, it depends on the definition of success. But when Framing the future was written I doubt having a top flight populated with M62 clubs some of which still have gates of 3k and big cuts in Sky funding was a target. The game has contracted since then geographically IMO - no Cumbria or London in the top flight for example and revenues in a downward spiral. The choice is to continue to contract with the comfort blanket that part time/semi amateur preserves sentiment and tradition, or push the boundaries - loads of options here - The Hundred type iseas,.mergers and geographic expansion, ruthless future focus centred on ideas that the under 30s find appealing. Pandering to dinosaurs of my age group who are club centric will sustain the sport at a diminishing level of quality and resource for a period of time and as you imply, we should maybe be satisfied with that. But we're so accustomed to insular thinking, preserving our tiny corridor of familiar and deriving comfort from internal fights and division we are hamstrung in imagining a better future for the sport itself. Bit like the UK tbh.

The only benefit of a merger for me is saving a few hundred quid on a season pass and merchandise.

Aye, no plan survives contact with the next quarter century.

But I take your points. Let’s try to imagine something better. What is worth preserving and what do we want that is different? What, fundamentally, is pro rugby league? A game played by professional athletes in front of paying spectators - yep. But also a part of the communities that sustain it and that it represents, imo.

Being both selfless in terms of setting aside club-centricity and ruthless in terms of thinking about what could actually work, what would you make your top priorities (and by extension what are we willing to sacrifice or at least compromise on) and what would be your major approaches to achieving them?

I shall have a think on mine too.

And a few hundred quit a year for Sky Sports. That would go for me.

Agreed as a merger would take at least a one or two generations before its accepted. So a merger of both Hull clubs would create more issues than it would solve. Not sure how a joint stadium would work either unless it was in the centre of the City rather than in the West or East of the City.

If anyone involved in the running of the game honestly believes a merger would be an option then the game has a serious problem.

If you get one of those dodgy boxes you'll save a fortune.

Just want to clarify that's what I've been told by errrr a bloke in the pub

May not necessarily be a FC/KR merger. Remember what happened in 1999/2000.

You could conceivably have Hull merging with Wakefield or Rovers merging with Bradford, for example.

Mergers would be pointless anyway if the game was still run by the idiots we have now and self centred greedy chairmen , We'd be back to square one within a few years !!

I wonder what excuses there thinking up to deny Toulouse a place at the table .

I honestly cannot see the fossils whoever they are?? At the Rfl giving up power.

I cannot see the club chairmen also giving up power and influence either.

Everybody's clinging onto their slice of the cake, to the detriment of the game.

Super leagues got a serious old boys club going on, favours for favours etc

Hopefully I'm wrong but we l see, you d like to think they've all had enough out the sport, and it can be handed over and totally revamped.

Adam hints at some announcements?

Hopefully good news.

I wouldn't worry it will never happen, most of the old die hard fans like myself from both clubs would more than likely call it a day and live with our past memories. The question is are there as many new younger fans that would get on board with a merged club to replace the old goats like me? I personally think not most youngsters these days want to be footballers & theres a lot that wouldn't get off there x box to attend so a merger just wont work.

He has sold the club to Roman Abramovitch. Roman was recently spotted in B&Q buying furniture for his luxury Villa on Coltman Street.

If youngster want to be footballers and play on Xboxes what difference will mergers make in the long term?