This is a point I make quite often when the RU v RL debate fires up. It amazes me how many of our own fans think what the RFU is doing now is equivalent as to what RL did when the RU game was amateur.



We hardly saw any English players defect, as "amateurs", they were still paid too much! It was mostly Welsh or second string RU players from overseas as Botica was at the time. None of them were breaking contracts to move either.

I intended to answer the question about what RU gives as a profile.

Whether you like it or not high profile RL stars are defecting to the NRL or RU. These guys aren't local lads playing for the local club, they are pro players making a career out of it, so defecting for challenge/money/profile are a fact of life, it happens in every profession from engineer to doctor and some even emigrate. The Unions have dealt with it, the RFL haven't and the clubs couldn't agree what day of the week it is.

What am I doing, well paying my gate money, beer money across the bar, shirts for the kids and I, oh and bringing some of my friends on a scrum down ticket and guess what some even come back an full paying tickets.

Labeling me as as one of you lot "RU" highlights my point about being tribal and self interested, be inclusive, it's a game. I enjoy both codes for what they are,

Seriously ... are we supposed to be impressed that you also like Rugby Union? Does that make you a better person?



You're totally entitled to your opinion, but please accept that other people - especially at a time when our top tier is being systematically dismantled by a group who have more money than sense, and vastly more money than they have talent - are going to take a very different view.



Tribalism? I'm not ashamed to be part of the RL tribe.



Self-interest? I will proudly shout from the rooftops that my primary sporting interest is RL.



And frankly, someone who comes on an RL message board and mentions these things in scathing terms is very possibly in the wrong place.

Why am I in the wrong place. Wigan fan, rugby fan?

What's scathing about my opinions, I've found a game I enjoy watching and joining in with the chat,

I answered the question and put some points forward, you don't like them that's fine but debate the points.

Due to the latest news... Could anybody list (just for fun) a potential England RU team made out of RL players and a England RL team made out of RU players... I wouldn’t mind seeing the difference in opinions in team selection and positioning of players in some cases. Current players only no retired one please...

I'd have a go putting England RU team in an England RL team but I can't name more than 3 (Chris Ashton, Manu Tuilagi and Owen Farrell).



I'd have a go the other way as well but I do not have a clue which number is which position in Union except 1 for prop.

Farrell, Ashton, Ford, Myler, Tomkins, Eastmond all have RL background. One more and that would be the backline sorted. Maybe Edwards son in a couple of years?

I have been reading the comments on Burgess and most of the comments and ideas are good. The reality is that he left Souths for the money. However the idea of scrapping the cap I think is crazy. You will get clubs trying to live the dream and sending the clubs bust. As Wigan supporters I imagine you look back at the days in the 90s when you won everything, however it bust the club, what has happened to Central Park, you are now don't have a ground, nor do Fax, look at Swinton. If the cap works it forces clubs to be sensible

1 - Foden

2 - Ashton

3 - Tuilagi

4 - Barritt

5 - Strettle

6 - Ford

7 - Eastmond

8 - Robshaw

9 - Care

10 - Lawes

11 - Tomkins

12 - Twelvetrees

13 - Farrell

The cap hasn't stopped lots of clubs going bust.



We need better financial regulation that encourages clubs to grow, not a salary cap that encourages clubs to do nothing to improve their finances. (Players are paid over 30% less in real terms than they were pre-cap, this is just not sustainable, we are heading for a semi-pro future.)



Winning everything didn't bust the Wigan club. The new stand at CP ran millions of pounds over budget, that's what did for us financially.



Comparing us with Halifax and Swinton is hilarious. We've just seen more Wigan fans go to Sydney than most clubs take to nearby away grounds. We are the cup holders and SL champions and along with Leeds get the biggest attendances at home (in the ground we don't have...).

I can't believe you can be so blind with what is happening to top flight RL in this country.. It's being raped of all its top players!!!! What happened 30 years ago is totally irrelevant....

Whoahh...we won't have facts on this forum thank you very much.