That's the thing, Beckham is athletic, about 6 foot but due to the game he's playing has nothing on him. You cater someone like that to rugby league and I pretty much guarantee he'd have made a great half back. The dedication it takes to make it to his level in soccer would be applied the same way and he'd probably be about 4 stone heavier.
Micah Richards? He'd be huge as a league player.
Someone like that kid from Villa on the wing?
Carlton Cole as a centre? the list could go on and on and on.
There's players playing third tier soccer that would make better league players than Lee Smith, you might not believe it and we'll never know but it's true.
If League could expand it's base by 50% we'd pee on the aussies, forget all this advanced training lark, they've got much better athletes

I mentioned the schools thing a couple of months back JB, imho it's the way to go but Starbug came up with a few points against about schools and RL, I can't remember now

The schools systems seem to be going downhill, there are schools in wigan that no longer play rugby league. the rfl need to throw money their way and help with coaching.

Sl players have plenty of spare time so they should have it written in their contract to do at least a school coaching session a week.

Barla also cause problems, always have. Too many flatcap rovers fans in there who have a chip on their shoulder. We are one sport and we should work together, summer rugby will speed up the development of skills while increasing participation numbers.

This a gem of a thread that the rfl really need to take notice of, changes need to be made now!

clearly not at prop, but there would be place in any team for an athlete like Beckham with speed, balance, co-ordination and good footwork, along with his dedication to succeed.

Stuff Slater, England and NZ only need Inglis.

Forget the schools get the kids down to amateur clubs where the coaches are incredibly dedicated and see RL as the best sport in the world.

A really radical solution - get a team in the NRL with only British players in it - that is the best chance we have of challenging the Aussies in the near future

And how do you propose we do that in the face of soccer, poor facilities and a general lack of awareness of the game for the most part? At least at school you have a captive audience!

What about introducing a points system for imports.
Cant play in Superleague unless they have a certain number of points

EG
Australian International 50pts
Aust. int within last 2 seasons/S.O.O. current or within last season 30pts
Aust. int within last 3 seasons/S.O.O. within last 2 seasons 20pts

And tier it depending on ranking of said Nation, Age etc.

Stops journeyman and players looking for big pay offs at the end of thier career.
So Lockyer maybe a top tier player on paper but is penalised on points by age.

Clubs are limited to 3 players, and must contain a mixture of forwards and backs

Clubs are also rewarded for using homegrown talent:

Through their own academy - 2.5% rebate per player on their wage bill which the RFL put back into the specific clubs Academy
Encourages home grown talent and investment into English players

Just an Idea

But they need summat to spark their interest before going down to an amateur club.