As adverts go for the code I've seen better!
A lack of the quality and/or the intensity you'd hope to see in 'finals football' played in front of hugely disappointing (if not a tad embarrassing) crowds.
Sky's production values for SL coverage seem to get poorer with every year that passes (the 'beat the clock' intro was awful).
Couldn't help noticing the huge crowd for the Leicester v Newcastle game earlier, crowds like that = cash...worrying times!

Leicester = RU's equivalent of Leeds in terms of support...

With a cracking new stand at Welford Road.Hope that's what our new one will look like.

Will those crowds continue to watch a side that has yet to score a try this season?
You'd hope not but with kick & clap you just never know.

They get an orgasm when they kick for a line out so i'm sure they won't be bothered about a lack of tries!

I know, they've been well-supported since the shamateurism era but, if the televised games are anything to go by, crowds for their top flight are impressive. Again, I know they're masters of the 'freebie' etc, but we're in our 'finals' season, the highlight of our year (or so you would hope) and I doubt we'd have pretty much filled the bottom 2 tiers of Wembley (or a northern equivalent) as Saracens did recently.
Let me be clear, I am no RU fan (boring game with a disgraceful history), but I worry about the pull of their code to our stars of the future. This is something of an 'about turn' for me as up until recently I didn't worry but the contrasts have hit home this season.

Amazing I know, but the answer is probably yes. I may struggle to understand the appeal but they and other clubs must be doing something right.

I guess fans want generally to support a winning team & even at 15-9 there's always the "excitement" of knowing/fearing that you could still lose to a converted try.
Would we be so enthralled by a 10-4 scoreline? If it's as a result of outstanding defence restricting the scoring then probably yes.
One of the delights of sport is the relief of a close win.
My issue with RU is that so much of the action is at close quarters that unless it's right in front of you, you have no real idea what's happening without being able to see it in close up on tv.

Exactly. I've only ever watched one RU game live (Tykes v Bath, we got free tickets through my wife's work). A Bath fan who'd followed his team for decades admitted pretty much the same thing.

Come on Cas, beat the Pies!

Huddersfield and Wigan to go through IMO.

Can't see it going any other way TBH

I know its only 14minutes in and i thought i'd never here myself say it but Saint Steve is having a good game.

The crowds and atmosphere for these play offs have been so dissapointing so far

I reckon there must be about two hundred at Shudds tonight.

I think they're very poor. Its abit of a joke and it needs to be addressed by the RFL and he clubs. Ok I know playing the Catalans wont bring the biggest crowds but surely more than this. I think theres about 2k there tonight.

Is this game the most boring and skill free of the season so far? It's like watching a referee practice.

Jeezuz this is s**te.

Have I missed anything by not watching it then??

A good performance by the man in the middle.

That is all.

Yes .
You missed the second minute . They played around a player that was stasrfished unconcious on the floor .

Play off rugby is soooooooooo exciting to watch

Ganson's has just asked if the kicker was onside?

It's an interesting question.

He's comedy gold.

Pelo’s try was superb

Imagining lifting the leg in the tackle followed by a penalty for dissent.

More comedy gold.

Can i have a go at St Steve yet, is Wheels about tonght