: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:34 pm  

Chick,

You offer some very interesting arguments there and im impressed by your passion. You obviously feel very strongly about expansion.

To be fair I think you have highlighted the main reason why Im a bit disgruntled with expansion. The thing I love about RL is the cracking atmosphere and banter between to sets of fans. You cant beat it when stadiums are bouncing and everyone is singing/shouting their heads off. It certainly transpires on to the pitch and makes for a better game.

I suppose I miss all this when Catalans, Harlequins and probably Bridgend bring a paltry sum of fans.

Call me selfish but thats how I feel.

Id love a return of the derby games against widnes.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:35 pm  

Rugbychick™ wrote:

I quite agree that 14 teams is plenty and probably the optimum amount for a decent season with some cracking matches. That is debatable, I know some people would prefer it to be 12 teams but I think there are 14 deserving clubs.

As to your question: I wouldn't say the sport needs further expansion, I would say I'm happy currently with the choices the RFl have made in terms of the expansion they've made. What I would like to see now the RFL have made 14 teams is more and more emphasis and development in the academy sides and grassroots rugby. I think it's known to all and sundry that we rely too heavily on international (not just Aussie) players in our teams. People are quick to moan about England doing rubbish but when our major clubs are dominated by internationals what can we expect?

I think it's fantastic to see Welsh players at Celtic and I hope the RFL really support the club in developing the youth game in Wales. If more clubs in Wales could be brought to the standard of the likes of Leigh, Fev, Halifax and such there very well may be a Welsh NL1 equivelent in my lifetime, which would be fantastic. I am also really pleased with the inclusion of Toulous in the NL1.

As to your question about who I would include: As I stated above I wouldn't add any more to the 14 we've got and when the franchises were announced I felt the RFL had made the right choice (please see my above post as I'm not typing it out again!). I would have like to see Widnes in the league as I think they've got a lot to offer but I think they'll be a shoe-in in 3 years time. I honestly don't think other NL1 clubs, like Leigh, are ready for SL.

Fair enough, We agree on something then

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:40 pm  

Roger Whittakers Penis wrote:

Chick,

You offer some very interesting arguments there and im impressed by your passion. You obviously feel very strongly about expansion.

To be fair I think you have highlighted the main reason why Im a bit disgruntled with expansion. The thing I love about RL is the cracking atmosphere and banter between to sets of fans. You cant beat it when stadiums are bouncing and everyone is singing/shouting their heads off. It certainly transpires on to the pitch and makes for a better game.

I suppose I miss all this when Catalans, Harlequins and probably Bridgend bring a paltry sum of fans.

Call me selfish but thats how I feel.

Id love a return of the derby games against widnes.

I'd love the return of the Widnes derby too, I used to really enjoy them but I can see why the RFL chose to leave them until the next set of franchises.

I also know exactly what you mean about the atmosphere, it does make the game more enjoyable and no away fans does ruin the atmosphere but ultimately my ticket money is to watch a (hopefully) cracking game of RL. I'd rather watch a closely-contested game between Wire and Catalan with no atmosphere than watch us beat Wigan 50-0 and sing all game

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:42 pm  

Rugbychick™ wrote:

I'd love the return of the Widnes derby too, I used to really enjoy them but I can see why the RFL chose to leave them until the next set of franchises.

I also know exactly what you mean about the atmosphere, it does make the game more enjoyable and no away fans does ruin the atmosphere but ultimately my ticket money is to watch a (hopefully) cracking game of RL. I'd rather watch a closely-contested game between Wire and Catalan with no atmosphere than watch us beat Wigan 50-0 and sing all game :D

Id pay bloody good money for that

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:43 pm  

Roger Whittakers Penis wrote:

Id pay bloody good money for that

*Sigh* Me too. I don't think it's beyond us this year - Wigan are pants

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:45 pm  

Rugbychick™ wrote:

*Sigh* Me too. I don't think it's beyond us this year - Wigan are pants

Dont write them off just yet, they still have a few useful players.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:46 pm  

Ssssshhhhhh

I'm allowed to dream

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:06 pm  

Roger Whittakers Penis wrote:

I suppose I miss all this when Catalans, Harlequins and probably Bridgend bring a paltry sum of fans.

Cas, Wakefield and Huddersfield hardly threaten to fill the away end, though, either.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:18 pm  

'Hitman' Norvern Soul wrote:

Cas, Wakefield and Huddersfield hardly threaten to fill the away end, though, either.

No they dont and I can see at least two of those teams struggling when the licenses come up for renewal.

Hopefully by then Widnes and Leigh will be a force and both get licenses.

: Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:26 pm  

I'l be surprised if it goes beyond 10,000.