Tend to agree, Red (although I accept a lot do not).

Never been to one, don't intend ever going to one. And it is so wrong that an artificial match like this can affect the end of season placings, especially when its an unbalanced artificial "derby" creation.

Im not over keen on the concept but almost feel "obliged" to go to show our support as it is the first game of the season. However if our game is one of the later games on the Sunday it might stop us going due to us not getting back home til around 2 am, too late for the kids and me.

Derby match is not fair. And devalues the real derby. The only "fair" way is a random draw I suppose.

We wont be going this year. Had fun at Murrayfield the last couple of years, but the expense is too much. Plus none of us fancy making this journey in February.

Roof or no roof!

The RFL have maybe learned the hard way that just staging random SL games doesn't cut it, and to make at least a marketing dint, you have to wheel out your biggest guns, which are the so-called derbies. As it is the first game of the season, derby fatigue won't be a factor, and at least there may be some wider interest in marketing terms if its going to be Wigan v Saints, or Leeds v Bradford.

Nobody at all is remotely interested in Quins v Catalans, etc., however they spin it, so to me the only chance of the setup working is to finish each day with the "big derby". On which bonfire the Bulls have somewhat peed, also, having become somewhat abject.

I'm not sure what it is people want from the RFL, though. Obviously many hate expansion, and would be against anything other than games not more than a mile from the M62, but it's all very well having a go at the RFL, if you aren't a flat capper then what else do you suggest they do? The product they have is the product they can sell, and that includes the Wakefields and the Salfords that nobody seems to want to watch much anyway even in their heartlands, so what are we saying - scrap everything and just go back to being a cosy local pub league?

With the state of peoples finances they should have it closer to home fro a few years somewhere people can travel there and back easily in a day they would probably get a bigger attendance, also this year it is not tagged over a bank holiday so some people are going to struggle to get the over the 2 days.

Who's home? Catalans fans? Quins fans?
Take your flat cap off and see the bigger picture

Should go back to derbies imo that was one of the most disappointing thing about the last two years at Edinburgh.

Well i for one am more than happy that they have decided to take it back to the Millenium. I agree the dates at the beginning of Feb does semm strange as it will still be very cold (summer rugby and all that) even inside the stadium with the roof closed. But we have booked an etap in newport for £50 for two nights and its 35 mins by car to Cardiff. People I know did not bother with edinburgh but are looking forward to the event going back to Cardiff. Also i preferred the derbys format rather than a random game.

Scrap it, it's a gimmick and not a very good one at that. Why do the RFL/Wood feel the need to mess about with fixtures. Teams should play each other home and away in the league.. end of story. I won't be going unless I get a free ticket and I certainly won't be watching 7 games of RL in Feb!

I think it was a good idea to start with, and well worth trying - even if a totally unfair way of skewing the season.

But I tend to agree with BB now. I think its run its course.

Can anyone see any opportunity for something a bit different, like say a pre-season knockout comp played at one venue over two days, with maybe 20 minute halves and/or other changes so players can last the pace? I.e. a bit different to normal game but not as different as Nines, and NOT affecting the league table? And with a proper pot on offer? I'd probably go watch something like that.

Or is it another dumb idea?

I'd prefer something along those lines but from a club point of view if there arent league points on offer then they wont risk there big names in effectively a pre-season friendly comp. Could turn into a fringe player/academy showcase type thing though.

Cardiff is the perfect place for the start of the season. You can leave the roof on if it's wet and there are plenty of pubs nearby.

The only problem is the price of convenient accommodation goes right up and before you know it you're having to travel miles to get there.

Originally, the right concept. Delivered poorly, at the wrong place, hugely ineffective marketing, pish poor games and even worse Sky coverage (which whilst we're at it, needs a massive overhaul)

Our winter start makes it difficult to make anywhere int he UK seem like a pleasant place to be. IMO Cardiff is preferable to Edinburgh and the roof being on would help the standard of rugby if the weather's bad.

Personally I think it's good to get away for the weekend - being around like minded people and 7 games of rugby thrown in is just an added bonus.

I do appreciate it can get pricey, however, it's not as if it's short notice is it!?

And for me Cardiff if the best location

Fail to see why people are moaning.

What a way to start to the season with bang (Wigan vs St Helens), bang (Hull KR vs Hull FC), bang (Bradford vs Leeds), bang (Castleford vs Wakefield) etc.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion though Mick. I just think it's a lot of money for a wet and cold weekend in Wales! I love my RL but I can't say I enjoy watching 3 or 4 games in one day to be honest.

If I go this year it'll be for the Bulls game only and I won't be paying the extortionate hotel prices in Cardiff.

All exceptional games, for those involved.

All the more reason to generate big crowds at the relative home venues and increase the revenue streams of said clubs.

All should sell out or be close to. No brainer.

But no, lets go to a freezing half empty stadium in p!ssing Wales.

Newcastle would have been better IMO.

Cheaper, better city, close to city centre, great stadium and not in Wales.

However, season start with derbies at home venues should have been a no brainer. It's not rocket science.

I do agree with you, but the RFL have this idea firmly planted inside them that taking games the opening games to Cardiff in deep darkest Febuary is the in the best nature of the game.

Not sure if I'm going or not. I've been the last couple of years with the wife but Cardiff isn't the same kind of draw as Edinburgh for someone, like my wife, who isn't an out an out RL nut. We've gone to the games on the day the Bulls were playing and spent the time going round the tourist spots in the city on the 'spare' day but Cardiff doesn't really cut it as a visitor attraction to be fair, so if I go, it will be on my own and only for a single day rather than the weekend.

Get your foot down man!

I'll probably be going myself, depends on what travel arrangements the club come up with. If there is a trip run, like a normal away match, which leaves after the game then I will, but otherwise, probably not. It's in Feb so definitely not doing a weeklend/overnight as previously.