For the 1st time in a long while, I've actually been very impressed with the BBC in terms of coverage for this season's Challenge Cup. Clare Balding has become somewhat of an RL Gem knowledge wise and also a face well known in the sporting arena. Although not in the league of Sky, the camera angles have also improved.

But above all I think the advertisements of the Cup Final have been very good, expanding to BBC HD and giving exclusive coverage on 5Live. And with it being already an advance sellout - some would argue is there really a need, but nevertheless for once the BBC have done a sterling job.

Watch it now - their cameras miss a crucial moment in the Final.

Here's praying for a professional output.

I'll be impressed with BBC when they start showing rugby in HD. I turn off when Balding comes on at half time. I don't know how you can say she's a gem. She might really like the game but she knows nothing bar the players names.

In general I think the BBC coverage is pathetic.

This years' final is in HD. Although annoyingly, the proper before and after coverage is on the 'Red Button'. If anyone has an idea of how to record this without physically being in front of your telly (or sending your sister in law round) then I'm all years.

I can remember being at the 1990 final and recording it. I got home and simply didnt think they were talking about the same game. I vowed at that point that if I wasnt actually going to Wembley to watch the final live I wasnt watching it on the beeb.

Over the last couple of seasons I must admit the coverage has improved greatly (but maybe that to do with the content and participants). I still only watch the final if Im actually there though.

Would that Sky remote feature allow this?

not sure about the red button stuff..but certainly for the regular broadcast you can set your Sky+ (/HD) box to record from anywhere in the world if you have access to the internet and a Sky membership password. I did it for the Semi final when I remembered I'd forgot to set it up!

Theres an app for that

Ring up someone like Manpower and say you need some cheap foriegn labour for the day, don't let them rip you off Ian as they tried to charge me 15p an hour for a Vietnamese chap last year.

I may be able to assist there.

Have you tried ringing the club shop?

You could probably record it with a freeview box and dvd recorder, because the red button just redirects you to channels 301,302, or 303 but of course it depends which one of those will be the one showing the rugby.

The one problem I have with the BBC coversge is that you cant hear the crowd very well and hence dont get any atmosphere. They could do with adjusting the mics!

Totally agree but funny how during the world cup people just complained they couldnt hear the commentary because of wll the vuvus in the crowd (and they aint THAT loud!)

The commentators are difficult to hear at times as they seem to have the referee's mic turned up to volume 11 sometimes.

If the BBC adjusted the mikes so that Ray French could never be heard I'd be a happy man.

That'll be a lot cheaper than the usual getting a 'hand' in the parlour then

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE

Clare Balding is indeed a gem. She's a good example of somebody, with no history or background in RL, who's been willing to listen and learn with no pre-judgement - and as a result, realise that this really is the greatest game.

She is intelligent, articulate and has a high media profile. Her love of the sport can do nothing but good for RL.

It is impossible, unfortunately.

I had a big problem with the semi final. You can't get BB2 in Turkey, so I couldn't watch it! With Sky mess around with Kick Off times so much, couldn't the BBC have done this and found a slot to show it on BBC1? Or do they just show it when and wherever, with no attempt at raising the profile of the sport?

On a possitive note, at least there's no Ray French for the final.

I'm sure it's a massive priority at the BBC to increase RL viewing figures in the Near East.

No, but is there a dafference between showing something on BBC1 and BBC2?

Is it just me being delusional, or can I hope that the semi final would be on BBC1?

Has that been confirmed?

Well Dave woods did last years so hopefully he will do this one too.