@Steph, I can see the value of an inclusive sport played in schools, not sure about the pro level though. While my first introduction to rugby was union, I am less interested in watching a sport where half the team can’t run for the whole match because they’re too pie retentive, they generally lack the basic skill of “not dropping the ball in the pass” and significant viewing time is spent kicking the ball back and forth up the pitch, or with all the forwards in a big pile waiting for the ref to award a penalty (at random?).
I have little time to watch sports these days so only occasionally will watch union highlights. The moment I realised I was no longer interested in watching union was ~ 15 years ago when watching France in the 6 nations I figured I could pop of and quickly fettle the bike ... I never came back to the match.
That said, a GOOD union match is a thing of beauty; just for me, on average, league matches will be better than union.
Proper split allegiances today in the KR v Catalan game. If Ryan Hall has still got it KR could be in for a hell of a season. Leigh impressed yesterday, suspect this is the usual Wigan underperforming at the start of the season and the new team out to prove themselves.