It hasn't been difficult over the past few days, I have kept quiet over this and if you even bothered to read a comment I have made elsewhere I actually stated I could see the argument from Wigan but I think that this is a severe lack of foresight on behalf of the stadium organisers - I am not blaming Wigan RLFC on this as this may not have been their booking, but the events team at the stadium need to be questioned. On this point there is no fault of the RFL!

Most of us know that already, it was only pointed out about a million times on the other thread. If you're that desperate to make a point you'll need to find something better than that.

Pleased for you.
The RFL are a total waste, get Lewis as far away as possible as soon as possible - the rest should then be removed as priority #1

Before any sporting fixtures are drawn up, exceptions will be brought into the preparation of fixtures, thats a fact. I can remember these being the case in the 70's for football matches so there were no clashes.
Wigan advised the RFL of this possible problem, thats a fact as well. But thanks for trying to make a point, however pointless.

the wedding was booked 2 years ago

Can't be a Latics fan then, that would cover the relationship from first date to divorce.

I never understood why they would want to marry their own sister as they live together anyway?

How have we got around the 24 hour rule?

Fair play to IL, he has come out fighting.

Oddly we now have a situation where the management of the RFL has been publicly criticised in no uncertain terms by the owners of Wigan and St Helens in recent weeks.

The RFL are a shambles. I've been saying it for years but the last couple of seasons have been beyond a joke, with clubs going bust despite the SC and franchising which are supposed to prevent this, the revelation of the secret loan to Bradford (and then the RFL accepting Odsal in repayment of this loan, a transfer from an insolvent company to a creditor!), a continued decline in refereeing standards and now this needless CC scheduling fiasco. The RFL are now in total disrepute.

It can only be a back down by Uncle Dave...

Uncle Dave waved his magic wand and made it disappear. Izzy Wizzy.
Some people will believe anything.

I don't think there is one, as such.

Are you sure?



I think we need an announcement!

is there, or isnt there a 24 hour rule?

it needs official clarification imo

Would it not of been easier to give Saints the South Stand and Wigan just use East and West?

Do we need it within the next 24 hours?

only if you want to risk upsetting a few thousand season ticket holders

Its the BBC that makes the decisions on when the cup is played. Think about whats taking place over the next 9 weeks.

True enough I suppose, does seem daft to put Saints fans in West and East though.

saints didnt want the south.....they are scared of the Brigantes

Ask just_browny, I'm sure he'd happily clarify that for you.

Well maybe not happily, given the epic sense of disappointment he's currently wallowing in.

wont happen.
theyve just made one announcement, and theres a 24 hour rule on announcements i think...or is this a myth?

Unbelievable that the RFL is being blamed. Wigans Warriors wishes are honoured when it is easy to do so, not when the fact they don’t have primacy of tenure causes them a problem. Had Wigan had to play elsewhere it wouldn’t be the RFL which removed home advantage from Wigan, it would be Wigans lease.

The RFL are in the first year of a brand new broadcasting deal for the CC, the first time there was the possibility for 3 or 4 of the QF’s to be broadcast as opposed to 2, they have 2 broadcasters to please, that’s along with an absolutely packed sporting schedule and RL schedule. The fact next weekend is the final weekend of the premier league season, the weekend after on Saturday the 19th there is the championship play-off final, the Heineken cup final, the champions league final and an Amir Kahn fight, The weekend after is millennium magic and on the 7th of June the Euros start means there wasn’t another weekend to accommodate the games without them being swamped.

Im sure had the RFL scheduled this round on any of those weekends we would have all been bemoaning the poor scheduling of the comp.

The fact is the RFL have done exactly what they should have. The DW was available to use on the time and date the game was scheduled, we know this because it is been played there and then. The fact that Dave Whelan hasn’t got is own way at the expense of Rugby League is a good thing and something strong leadership from the RFL has achieved.

There was no reason that the RFL should deviate from its plans, at the expense of RL to acquiesce to Dave Whelans preference. Well done the RFL for being strong and getting the best solution for RL.

There are no season ticket holders for the cup.

How have we got around the 24 hour rule?