English Rugby Union, what needs to come next?

[Aperitif]

Guardian too...here

The deal was agreed after the former Rabbitohs chief executive Shane Richardson, who is the NRL’s head of strategy after leaving Souths himself last year, flew in to sort out the paperwork. Reports in Australia suggest Burgess could earn almost £700,000 a year on rejoining Souths, making him the NRL’s highest-paid player.

Shane Richardson used to invoke the "who ate all the pies" chant as he walked around with Shaun McRae when Hull FC were in town. He's come a long way. Thinking back to Andy Ripley, those sort of players would never make it in today's sporting world. That byegone era and ideals is possibly the one of Stuart Lancaster and the Buffers at HQ?

 

[Wafer]

What a complete and utter joke.

 

[Aperitif]

Dean Ryan's thought for a Friday...with his usual perspicacity.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

BBC reporting Sam Burgess has left Bath to return to RL in Oz.

Can he take some people with him?

He is back at Souths now.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

He is back at Souths now.

Good luck to the lad, he's a talented sportsperson.

Now, will heads role at RFU for having him fast-tracked?

 

[Wafer]

Seems he conveniently felt distant from his family just as the world cup came to a finish...

 

[david k]

Owen Farrell didn't exactly make it as a rugby league player and Shaun Edwards didn't play RU at the top level (or any level above schoolboy). So if we look back, England have had two successful players (we'll include Ashton) transition from League to Union. Not great.

To be fair rugby league has worked hard with its converts to give them time to learn the game, Jiffy was given a couple of years as were the others, I don't think converts the other way always get the time to learn, people look for them to be super starts from the off

 

[Chromatic]

To be fair rugby league has worked hard with its converts to give them time to learn the game, Jiffy was given a couple of years as were the others, I don't think converts the other way always get the time to learn, people look for them to be super starts from the off

Probably because rugby league converts are generally touted as superior ball players and the greatest thing ever to hold a rugby ball and, as you say, will therefore show their superiority from the off. The evidence is quite obviously to the contrary, I remember watching Jason Robinson, probably the most successful league to union convert, running around like a headless chicken in his early days when playing for Bath.

 

[david k]

Can I then add these
*I will anyway*

Kevin Sinfield *Leeds*
Wally Lewis *NRL/Wakefield Trinity Schoolgirls*
Allan Langer *NRL*
Sonny Bill Williams *NRL/RU Wallaby*
Greg Inglis *NRL*
Andrew Johns *NRL*
Darren Lockyer *NRL*
Billy Slater *NRL*
Jonathan Thurston *NRL*
Cooper Cronk *NRL*
Chris Radlinski *Pie*
Trent Barrett *Pie/NRL*
Inga Tuigamala *Pie/NRL*
Andy Gregory *Pie*
Martin Offiah *Pie*
James Graham *St Helens/NRL*
Sam Burgess *Leeds/NRL*
Des Drummond *Leigh*
John Woods *Leigh*
Alex Murphy *Leigh*
Neil Turley *Leigh*
Billy Boston *Pie*
Garry Schofield *Leeds*

Jonathan Davies *Widnes/Warrington/NRL/Neath/Wales RU*

Tom van volenhoven St. Helens
Kevin ward Cass and saints
Kieron Cunningham St. Helens
Phil Clarke Wigan
Jason Robinson Wigan
Mal Malinger
Brad fitler
Eric growth
Roy Powell, for playing every game on tour

 

[david k]

Probably because rugby league converts are generally touted as superior ball players and the greatest thing ever to hold a rugby ball and, as you say, will therefore show there superiority from the off. The evidence is quite obviously to the contrary, I remember watching Jason Robinson, probably the most successful league to union convert, running around like a headless chicken in his early days when playing for Bath.

Think I am right in saying the transition to Union is harder as there is more to learn technically
Saying that I remember Maurice fasilevu (spelling?) struggling to play the ball when first playing league!

 

[david k]

Seems he conveniently felt distant from his family just as the world cup came to a finish...

No he probably missed them before but staying around to play n a World Cup makes it worth it