It's not really the "quick buck", though, for me, it's about whether there could be a long term opportunity to consolidate and build something better in a structure where all bar Leeds and Wigan are struggling. There are loads of obstacles, fan engagement and financing being the two blindingly obvious and serious ones, but as said, short term difficulties shouldn't stop us thinking of creative alternatives to the status quo when the sport's in trouble. I really hope we can push on ourselves, obviously.

It's not on the Leeds or Wigan board, or on a meat pie menu. Unlikely Nigel will be interested.

I don't think the internet and online discussion has reached Red Hall yet. In fact, I'm not sure whether electricity, telephones, running water, flushing indoor toilets and t'wireless has reached those hallowed portals yet, so I wouldn't worry too much.

And that's part of the problem. The people running the game are not the people who should be running the game. Hopefully Barwick will add some much needed variety and knowledge, but I won't hold my breath.

Hang on a minute. What Wigan stranglehold would that be? And what about warrington? If they can challenge, Hull FC should be able to too.

On the best players and realistic contenders for the title. Warrington have a great record in the cup in recent years, true. Whether AP is in a position to challenge Moran's bankrolling is debatable.

11-a-side. Possibly on a slightly narrower pitch, or retreating a bit less from the tackle. 3 subs.
I'm only half joking.
In the absence of simply finding some more money, the best I can offer is to get rid or at least limit some of the red tape. We've legislated our clubs into corners. Wage restrictions, squad restrictions, licensing criteria, rules piled on top of rules. I'm no free market idealist, but there is a balance to be struck. And some consistent thinking would be good. The non-fed rule is introduced to give our own talent a chance, now that they are starting to get that chance, some want to cut the number of teams because there isn't the talent to go around.
The one hope I do have is that the current brawn drain to the NRL will make for a more competitive England or GB team.

I'd rather nail your balls to a plank too

As mrs b indicates, any club can be rich for a while - Salford look to be the next big spenders. Rovers and Hull have done it in the past and might be able to for a spell in the future. Wigan and Leeds are big. Could a merged KuH club be perennial contenders? Yep, but the obstacles are significant and the will to overcome them limited - probably negative in fact. So, actually, nope.
We want success but, naturally enough, only on our own terms - and that extends across the whole sport.
I dare say it and we will muddle through - always have done in the past.

A merged club would not worry me. My mum was Rovers and my dad FC and dad won my support. His dad followed neither being a Tigers fan. Hull family is heavily biased FC's way and my wife supports Rovers although she is a Cumbrian lass.

Don't believe I will ever see it happen but who can predict events in these rapidly changing times.

Long ago saw a combined Hull/Hull KR team play a match against the touring Kangaroos at Boothferry Park(floodlit?). They didn't win!

Tough as the economic climate is for both clubs in the city. It will be harder still for them both next season if Hull City are promoted. The lure of the Premier League will undoubtedly attract season tickets, sponsors as well as corporate hospitality from both clubs.

From a cold hard objective point of view, having two rugby clubs chasing the same young players, fan base, sponsors etc, does not make sense given the size of the city.

It works now because of the financial support of a very few individuals. Take that away and.....

I heard from a current SL player that the clubs are close to agreeing a 2 tier SL with 10 clubs in each, promotion and relagation between the 2 divisions, £800k salary cap in SL2 and £2m in SL1. This sounds like the radical thinking we are looking for.