England RU played something like 13 games last season, that's a substantial commitment for players in the squad, especially as they have a domestic league, a domestic cup competition and a European competition. Under those circumstances central contracts make sense.

The problem with central contracts in RL is that in most years there will be 4 or 5 England internationals and it could end up disproportionately supporting a small number of clubs who are already the dominant ones in the league. I'd prefer it if each club could be offered a set amount against a nominated marquee player who is eligible for England.

It seems the RFL have learned nothing from the criticism they received after loaning Bradford £750,000 behind the backs of all the clubs.

My sympathy for the call that they're not fit for purpose continues to grow

Are you just rolling out the old "not fit for purpose" trope, or do you actually know what the RFL's actual stated purpose is, and you also have evidence where they are not meeting it ?

Aren't Parliament discussing this week whether or not to hold a vote of no confidence in the FA? Do you think they can hold one for the RFL?

Wow, take a look at our shrinking game and you tell me you've got confidence that it's leadership are fulfilling their role

I agree that the state of the game has changed, the expansion of the game outside the heartlands is here, albeit the heartlands themselves are struggling.

However its naive to simply use phases like "not fit for purpose" unless you know what their stated purpose is and can demonstrate how they haven't met that purpose.

I don't see how the game can punish a club like Salford for breaching the salary cap on one hand ... and provide the means for other clubs to (ostensibly) breach the salary cap with the other hand.

I am confused, concerned and disheartened

I'm confused more than anything. Who is the one player alleged to be? If this has happened without the agreement of the other clubs, personally if I were an owner I'd be suggesting that club isn't given a Super League licence until they pay the money back and reduce their cap to cover it.

If brought in as a policy, obviously they would have to spread it around. You can't give top ups to enable Warrington to keep 7 players, Wigan to keep 4 and not pay Wakefield anything because they don't spend over the cap anyway. That just isn't fair.