That's just an outdated stereotype though, isn't it? I thought the RFU had long since moved away from the classist old boys brigade that their supporters and indeed themselves worked so hard to deny existed in the first place.

By establishment I wasn't so much meaning Edwards isn't of the right social standing or went to the right school, more that he hasn't been part of the RFU establishment in the same way the likes of Johnston, Woodward, Andy Robinson, Brian Ashton, Dick Best etc were.

The stereotype was usually not true except in the governing body itself. What was argued against was that it was a classist sport since that is simply a factually incorrect rewriting of history which is still perpetuated today. Edwards is far more establishment than the likes of Woodward, Ashton, Andrew, Robinson, Mitchell and Johnson himself.

Given the choice of Brendan Ventner, Jake White, Gatland and Eddie Jones I am sure the Blasers would much rather deal with Edwards.

I get you

[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/15620544.stm?The much heralded scrum isn't as pure as we thought.[/url

[url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10764553Union used Cup like 'massive holiday' - Samoa captain. While Tongan and Fijian players received $1,500 each week, Samoan players got paid only $1,000 per week. This is despite the Samoan public raising more than 6.5 million Tala - around NZ $3 million - for the team's Rugby World Cup campaign.[/url

Sad and worrying. Thought they'd stopped those kind of antics long ago. Could it be true what they say about leopards?

And yet, this is being allowed to pass unnoticed by the national media.

Can you imagine the outcry if the RFL did something similar along the M62 corridor? The OBN would have questions in the House and Sport England cutting off funding in a heartbeat.

This is very worrying though isn't it.

I thought this type of behaviour had stopped about 20 years ago,I think you hit the nail on the head Catalancs,they obviously don't.

Firstly, if this is true, I will use every trick I have learnt over the years to get this covered by a national paper, but before I do, I would very much like to see documented proof of this:



As I say, if it is true, I will look to get at least one national paper to cover this....or I will run up a massive phone bill from NZ trying.
Last time I got this angry was when SLY TV moved a quins away fixture in France at short notice......I believe if I reappear again a number of sports editors will print stuff just to get rid of me



If anyone has documented proof of this, please PM it to me in confidence. I will not do anything or publish it anywhere without express permission first.

Thanx

[url=http://www.3news.co.nz/All-Blacks-took-steroids-claims-former-NZRU-head/tabid/415/articleID/232386/Default.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+co%2FHCaY+%283News-+Latest+News%29All Blacks took steroids, claims former NZRU head

[/url

I would suggest that if anyone has any evidence of these RU underhand tactics in the North East (and I can't find the original post by The Clan on this - is it on another forum or has it been deleted?) that they mention it in the comments section on The Guardian website - Under Rugby League the latest 'Set of Six'. Andy Wilson will probably pick up on it and if there is any substance to it, give it a wider audience.

It's on the Joel Tomkins to Saracens thread on the VT mate.

When I spotted this headline, I thought it was about a football European super league again, but on closer inspection: www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/no ... remiership Utter madness. Especially the bit about "expanding the heartlands"- not a shocker to find out that this means Eastern Europe and not the North and Midlands.

When I spotted this headline, I thought it was about a football European super league again, but on closer inspection: www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/no ... remiership Utter madness. Especially the bit about "expanding the heartlands"- not a shocker to find out that this means Eastern Europe and not the North and Midlands.

Shaun Edwards to sign new four-year deal to remain Wales defence coach.

=#FF0000BUMP. Surely there is documented proof? Copies of emails, scans of letters?

Firstly, if this is true, I will use every trick I have learnt over the years to get this covered by a national paper, but before I do, I would very much like to see documented proof of this:



As I say, if it is true, I will look to get at least one national paper to cover this....or I will run up a massive phone bill from NZ trying.
Last time I got this angry was when SLY TV moved a quins away fixture in France at short notice......I believe if I reappear again a number of sports editors will print stuff just to get rid of me



If anyone has documented proof of this, please PM it to me in confidence. I will not do anything or publish it anywhere without express permission first.

Thanx

Quote ="Urmston Wire"When I spotted this headline, I thought it was about a football European super league again, but on closer inspection: www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/no ... remiership Utter madness. Especially the bit about "expanding the heartlands"- not a shocker to find out that this means Eastern Europe and not the North and Midlands.'" I personally think it will work... if the idea is to make a select group of clubs very rich. What on Earth will happen to the clubs who miss out? Will the Heineken Cup become something of a feeder competition to this breakaway league?

Quote ="Urmston Wire"When I spotted this headline, I thought it was about a football European super league again, but on closer inspection: www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/no ... remiership Utter madness. Especially the bit about "expanding the heartlands"- not a shocker to find out that this means Eastern Europe and not the North and Midlands.'" I personally think it will work... if the idea is to make a select group of clubs very rich. What on Earth will happen to the clubs who miss out? Will the Heineken Cup become something of a feeder competition to this breakaway league?

Brilliantly cynical and almost certainly on the money. Geese and golden eggs spring to mind?

I can see a scenario where you have this elite league being the be all and end all and the domestic competitions in Britain and France really suffer. Crowds have held up in football but the Premier League has had a knock-on effect and many clubs in the lower tiers have gone into financial meltdown chasing the dream of a place at the top table. Could union clubs such as Bristol, Sale and Worcester afford to go all out in the hope of getting an invite?

This breakaway comp seems at bit strange to me.

Won't this hurt union in the long term especially international games.

No, I think union is far too strong to be seriously affected as a whole. As I said, it could lead to a gulf opening between those at the the top table and those left looking in through the window. Will a global elite league affect the prestige of the union world cup? I doubt it very much.

What the hell's going on here then? Saracens and Wigan's rugby league team are planning a revolutionary 'hybrid' encounter: www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugb ... 61516.html

What the hell's going on here then? Saracens and Wigan's rugby league team are planning a revolutionary 'hybrid' encounter: www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugb ... 61516.html

Quote ="feebleweasel"What the hell's going on here then? Saracens and Wigan's rugby league team are planning a revolutionary 'hybrid' encounter: www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugb ... 61516.html'" I had little to no interest in this game before reading that article. I care for it even less now. Fazlet

Quote ="feebleweasel"What the hell's going on here then? Saracens and Wigan's rugby league team are planning a revolutionary 'hybrid' encounter: www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugb ... 61516.html'" I had little to no interest in this game before reading that article. I care for it even less now. Fazlet

[url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10765790All Black winger suddenly appeared dripping wet and without clothes...[/url
Guildford wandered into the bar naked and bleeding and assaulted two people, one of whom, Nick Cox, was celebrating his 60th birthday.


[url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/tindall-costs-gloucester-100k-6261513.html?Tindall costs Gloucester £100k[/url
Mike Tindall's club, Gloucester, could be more than £100,000 out of pocket if the centre is unsuccessful in his appeal against his fine and dropping from the England elite player squad.


[url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/wages-of-sin-deliver-debt-and-trouble-to-overspending-clubs-2933416.html?Wages of sin deliver debt and trouble to overspending clubs[/url
All over the country clubs are in serious financial trouble. Slattery's own club, Blackrock, have acute strains on their financial and human resources, owing in excess of €1m, and are unable to field competitively at junior one and junior two levels in Leinster this season.
According to the IRFU, who don't release funds to clubs until they get a copy of the accounts, there are 13 clubs nationally with borrowings in excess of €400k, and not many ideas about paying it back.

Wasps and England Flanker Joe Worsley announced his retirement due to a neck injury

Wages of sin deliver debt and trouble to overspending clubs
All over the country clubs are in serious financial trouble. Slattery's own club, Blackrock, have acute strains on their financial and human resources, owing in excess of €1m, and are unable to field competitively at junior one and junior two levels in Leinster this season.
According to the IRFU, who don't release funds to clubs until they get a copy of the accounts, there are 13 clubs nationally with borrowings in excess of €400k, and not many ideas about paying it back.

Catalancs surely the bubble is about to burst on this.

I know Ireland is in a financial mess at the moment is this affecting the game in Eire.