Personally Im against the MW for a couple of reasons

Due to the fact and like others its the credit crunch and I seriously cant afford to go to Scotland for what only is when it comes down to it another Super League game.

Secondly the amount of games over Easter is unfair on all the players in Super League. If we were to scrap the extra game over the Easter period and the Magic Weekend maybe this could help England in the long run by not having to play two extra matches. The players are knackered and they should be the ones that the RFL listen to along with the coaches of all 14 clubs. Is it any bloody wonder we can never compete with Australia and New Zealand when we run our best players into the ground.

So we'd still be left with only playing one side once? How's this for a radical suggestion?

We play each team, home and away, twice. The team at the top, wins the league.

As soon as the season is over, the best players go and train for a few weeks to get into the England spirit. Hell, without the extra few weeks at the end we could even have a couple of internationals mid season.

Bring the sparkle back into the CC by making it rugby league's weekend away again.

Regression for progression...

all these are wonderful and delightful ideas....but who is going to pay for it?

- SKY want Playoffs and a Grand Final;
- SKY want the Magic weekend;
- All the clubs want the revenue from a bank holiday home game at Easter;
- The public has shown thier lack of interest in the Challenge Cup with rubbish attendances for years;
- International RL is not attractive to sponsors or broadcasters, therefore it is relegated in importance.

In the real world...he who pays the piper, picks the tune. SKY are holding the game up, paying wages and bringing in sponsorhip.

The players need to be careful what they wish for, or else they may just find themselves playing as part timers again.

Went to Cardiff last year and must agree that it was a great weekend. I only managed to watch a game and a half of rugby, but i probably spent half my monthly wage on ale. There is so much going on immediately around the ground that the whole weekend felt like a carnival.

So then it moves to Murrayfield.

I've never been to a rugby game up there, but i have been to an ice hockey game, and the ice rink is basically attached to the main stadium.

Murrayfield's surrounding area isn't a patch on downtown Cardiff. I just can't really get my head around how the fans are all going to fit in the 4-5 pubs near the ground.

I realise that the event goes where the big money offers come from, but moving away from a bustling Cardiff centre to the outskirts of Edinburgh seems ludicrous.

I'd rather save my money for a long weekend in Catalonia than go up there. But whatever floats your boat I suppose.

I tend to agree, Southern France or Edinburgh


obviously not everyone has to make the choice, some of us are lucky enough to be able to go to both, but some people can't afford both or any, for financial or work or Family reasons.

Edinburgh is a stunning city, well worth a visit.

Couldnt agree more but so is SW France - stunning that is - and for RL purposes and i am an expansionist Perpignan is the business over Edinburgh at the moment.

and you commented on Graham " shooting his mouth off" - he's entitled to- just as though who are 100 percent in favour of the concept are - he doesnt deserve to be bagged for telling it how he sees it .

now its, London, Hull, Cardiff, France and Scotland all take time to travel and i doubt any team go executive class like in football

We've been going to London and france since '96 when he was 10 so he should be used to it

He wasnt playing for 80 mins a game then

Its too much of a gimmick for me, which the RFL are very good at, similarly to the play off now top 8.
Can,t see any benefits to Rugby League, what happens if it rains all weekend those last 2 games are going to be a farce.
Graham does have a point about too many games and a longer off season, this a fixture we could do without.

He's right is Jammer. But you've got to think of the lesser clubs in this situation eg Dire. It's there fans day out for the season, there cup final.

Difference to me is that my comments won't hit the press whereas his will.

I think he has an obligation to either get behind the concept or voice his grievances in private.

Notwithstanding the fact he goes on about spending money in cumbria instead (when the whole point of the weekend is that is makes money for the RFL, rather than spending it).

He'll probably have a whinge about England not getting top facilities at some point to compete with the Aussies then wonder why the RFL don't have the money to provide such. What does he think paid for the business class flights to the World Cup? Cumbrian RL?

Another good point - I'm sure the players at Saints aren't all that bothered but for some players this is the biggest occasion they might get to play in and they'll relish it.

I prefer it at around 11:59pm on december 31st, thats a party! I was there for the Millenium with 250,000 of my closest friends!

The only change I think should be made is the one Peacock suggested, to make it the first weekend of the season as an opener. Then it's a good time away from the double header Easter weekend and any cup games for those that have money difficulties and it should provide plenty of opportunity for press coverage.

Of course that depends on the RFl marketing it properly...

I never heard anything so stupid or narrow minded in my life, then again I avoid talking to Stains fans as much as possible as they normally come out with this kind of drivel!!!

I can confidently say that you will find more Wire fans at either a CC Final or Grand Final that they weren't involved in that you would Saints fans if they weren't involved. Warrington fans are appreciative of good rugby league, you lot are only interested if you've got somethig to brag about, if your silverware dries up so will your attendances!!

Then can I suggest you don't come on the saints board if you don't like what saints fans have to say

Not quite sure what that has to do with watching your team at a showpiece event, but hey - I avoid talking to Wire fans wherever possible so maybe it's a language thing

its only once a year, and if a team plays thursday and monday, you've got a four day turnaround


as for the aussies, i know many of their elite have played in the trans tasman test on a friday night, and backed up for their club on the saturday afternoon, they dont whinge though

Totally wrong , Nobody should be under any obligation to cheerlead and good for him for being honest- He's perfectly entitled to voice his opinion and yes given who he is the press will pick it up- the reason they are though is that its different from the never ending PR from Red Hall on the other side -

Id be surprised if if the RFL make as much as you perhaps think and the return for the clubs has been minimal given the amount of pressure theyre put under - and thats a direct quote to me from a Superleague club vice chairman.

Remember the clubs still have to pay out wages to all staff not just players. this is a loss leader for many of them - just what they dont need when theyre having to scrap for every penny in the market place .

and do tell us what is wrong with spending money on RL in Cumbria!!!! - i went to the recent Barrow v Wigan Cup tie - tremendous day out with great passion on display from all concerned - well worth investing in i would say

Reeled!



Far too easy the ald dire fans. Anyway it is your big day out of the season though. I'll never forget the victory parade after your defeat of Salford at MM a few years back. It was like you'd won the comp, Lap of honour and everything. Laughing Stock of RL i tell thee!

this is an extra game, if it wasnt happening the clubs wouldnt be getting any money from anywhere - they still have to pay employees throughout the year (I dont expect the kit man gets paid extra for turning up to work, even if he does have to go to Scotland).

SKY and other sponsors put a lot of money into the game because of this, Edinburgh is putting money into the game because of this...this is money that wouldnt be in the sport without this weekend.

Development in places like Cumbria is funded through ventures like these. Where do you think the money for the free challenge cup tickets for the game you attended in Barrow came from? It didnt come from within Cumbrian RL. Without that scheme there would probably have been about 3000 there.