Sports   (Talk about balls here.)

The popularity of any sport is complicated, especially if you are trying to convince others who prefer another sport

It needs to be exciting, entertaining for starters. RL has, in my opinion, got those attributes, but many of my friends (down here in Lincolnshire), don't like any form of rugby. Football and dyke jumping are the popular sports.

In the past RL has suffered massively at the hands of the media and establishment.

The papers and television have never supported RL as much as union. Union is played at toff level and is considered the game for gents to get involved in. It's hierachy detest RL, but admire some it's finer points so much they introduced some (sin bin for one)

The armed forces would until a few years ago, refused to have RL played on their bases.

As RL fans, most of us are not fussed about how popular it is compared to other sports, but given a fair crack of the whip, it would take off.

I think my highlight of RL was when the dual code matches with Bath took place. Interesting games, but to hear Dr Jeremy "pretty face" Guscott roll out excuse after excuse as to why he wouldn't play.....he knew he would have known what contact sport was all about after playing Wigan.

And those matches against Bath: Wigan thrashed them at league, and drew the second half at Union. Wigan also won the Union 7's. Bugger all in the press as I remember - but if Union had done the same at league, we would not have heard the last of it. The power of the media........