No - this completely undermines that argument, which is why I'm so surprised. I think the quota was sold on a very shaky premise - that it'd improve the England team. Where it is was more likely to succeed, though I'm personally a little ambivalent about it, was in retaining (or regaining) SL's flavour as a British competition.

Whether Hull FC have been naive, as you put it, or just victims of bad luck I don't know. The RFL does seem to be acting randomly and making policy on the hoof in this instance - which'll create luck, good and bad, and see good and bad judgement go unrewarded/unpunished.

I'd love to know the thinking (I'm assuming there must be some) behind the new policy, and await the RFL's replies to Kosh's and Scott's e-mails with interest.

People need to stop worrying about Rovers, massive losses, unpaid debts and uncontrolled budgets do not make a sound business plan!

Does anyone else think this whole overseas players question is an absolute farce?
Quota, non quota, fed trained, not fed trained...
The whole thing is a joke and the rest of the sporting world must be look at RL and its constent tinkering of the rules as a laughing stock.
Surely it should just go on where you are born, end of story, agree on a number of non UK born players alowed in a squad and stick to it, simple.

I believed the basis premise was sound and I also understood that the employment law monster was always going to raise its head at times (such as the Stanley Gene ruling) which I believe was fair for the individuals involved. However, if what appears to be the general perception of the Mason situation is correct - i.e. that any Tongan counts as federation trained (and probably, therefore, other south sea islanders) - then it =#0000FFis a complete farce and I think that clubs who have looked to follow the spirit of the quota system will curse the day they ever invested in youth.

Not sure if you are agreeing with me or not but the whole system is pretty shambolic imo.
either introduce a place of birth system, which as you say would probably not be possible due to employment law or just scrap the whole idea and throw doors open and have unlimited non UK players as in the Prem League.

I'm saying I agree with the idea of a quota =#0000FFif they stick to it but if this Mason thing turns it all on its head then it's not only shambolic but also completely unfair to clubs who have invested heavily in the future development of youth.

The rule has changed there also, 8 of their 25 man squad must be 'homegrown'

So in short the RFL have either messed up big time or Rovers are cheating and we now only have 2 non fed trained players.

As I have posted on the VT, you can now have a 25 man squad as follows:
8 homegrown players
5 Australians
12 Tongans
So if you don't have any injuries, you don't need to field any British players at all.

Scrapping the academy and spending the money scouting in the South Sea Islands would appear to be the way forward.

Jesus.....how will the young ones ever get a chance with that...very poor

Indeed.

The RFL needs to make it simple. Something like 3/4/5 non British/French players per SL side, all these Maltese and other EU passports coming out of the woodwork are making a mockery of the system.

To make sure all clubs agree just make it part of the SL rules and if they dont like the rules they are more than welcome to drop out.