Yank here. I find that I like both league and union. Honestly as kids when we played tackle American football in the front garden with the neighborhood kids, it resembled more league rules than actual American football. No pads, no linemen so when you were tackled there was a pause and you would snap it to your team mate and go again. 4 tries to run it into the end zone. I'm trying to get into league as there are more video games options for it than union.

I understand that league split from union over the issue of paying players and the working class northern towns created their own competition and broke away.

My question is why/how did the rules change as well? Okay so there were some people not happy about wages/professionalism, but what made them go from 15 to 13 players? Was there an influential person in league who came up with the idea of getting rid of the ruck?

Any reading you guys could recommend?

Surely having had roughly 7 hours as interim head coach and with Saints no nearer the SL title it is time to shuffle the deck?

Assistant Coach Eamon O’Carroll will assume interim leadership of the Saints’ First Team.

Paul has navigated an unprecedented injury crisis during his tenure, maintaining a very competitive position throughout the 2026 Betfred Super League season.

The Board commends him for his achievements during this challenging period and wishes him the very best in future endeavours.

Eamon O’Carroll’s interim appointment delivers continuity and stability as the Club gears up for the business end of the season, and as a thorough process to identify a permanent successor is embarked upon.

Chairman Eamonn McManus added: “I would like to thank Paul for his commitment and extreme hard work as our Head Coach. He will always be warmly welcomed at the Club.

“The decision was an extremely difficult one for all concerned, and we fully recognise the extra challenges that Paul faced with us this particular season.

“We as a club must now look forward and do all within our powers to preserve our position as the most successful club in the history of Super League and to restore our position as a silverware contender going forward.”

St.Helens R.F.C. will make no further comment at this time.

Exclusive picks:

- Hull FC v Hull KR
- Wigan v St Helens

A place to discuss anything rugby related that isn't worthy of it's own thread/post.

Go behind-the-scenes with the Bulls and join their star halfback Jayden Nikorima as we continue to explore how the stars of the Betfred Super League are Built Different, in association with Glen’s Vodka.

Nikorima takes us around Bartercard Odsal Stadium to get a flavour of that goes into a Bulls training week including nutrition, gym, on-field training and even the club’s coffee making regime.

Watch the full episode here!