BBC SPORT | RUGBY LEAGUE | Cracking the codes

By BBC Sport's Ray French

Those who are getting ready to watch Wigan meet Leicester in one code of rugby will find themselves disappointed.

Those who suggest that the current financial weakness of rugby league is making clubs think about their futures in the 13-a-side game are misguided.

And, those who predict that the departure of some of league's top players to union heralds the demise of the sport are�simply naive.�

For the truth behind the recent upheavals in the relationship between the�two codes is that both games are using the other for their own purposes.�

Phil Larder has succeeded in both league and union
Larder has succeeded in both league and union

Moves by St Helens,�Bradford, Wigan and Leeds to take over or adopt struggling union clubs like Liverpool St Helens, Wakefield, Orrell and Headingley are not brought about by any league weaknesses in those communities.

Nor is there any attempt by union clubs to threaten the rival code via entry by the back door.�

Quite simply,�a league club on building a new stadium, as Wigan have done and St Helens and�Bradford hope to do,�cannot attain its maximum financial and playing potential without the support of a local union club.

And, ironically, a union club in the same area cannot advance its playing strength, its cashflow, or its profile without the backing of a League club.

League's 'Big�Four' clubs attracted an average of 45,482 fans through their turnstiles every weekend last season and already they have posted record season ticket sales and sponsorship pledges for 2002.

Both games are�different and, hopefully, will remain so if current trends help each to become stronger

Ray French

But club bosses now�realise that any new stadium cannot be financially viable when used on just 15 or 16 match days a year.

Hence the urgent need to help with the creation of�new revenue, and especially when a Zurich Premiership team can bring with it�up to �2m a season from Twickenham's overflowing coffers.��

Community and government grants can be realised, increased corporate and sponsorship levels can be reached, and a wider selection of young players can be attracted to a rugby academy if one club represents two games.�

League can now grow�even stronger and union�can realise its�ambition of fielding more elite teams in the north.

Indeed, in the south and the midlands, the reverse is already happening.

Union clubs like Coventry and Oxford are solidly supporting teams in the Summer Conference League.

Henry Paul switched from Bradford to Gloucester

And don't be surprised to see a welcome mat put down for the London Broncos by a Harlequins, a Saracens, or a Wasps club in the�near future.

Why would Jason Robinson need to move from Wigan to Sale, or Henry Paul from Bradford to Gloucester if they were able to sample both codes in one year at the same club?

Indeed, why trek to Ireland to�become a defensive coach if Mike Ford can teach both league and union players at the same club?

As with Crown Green Bowls and Panel Bowls we have two rugby games which use the same equipment and are played on�the same surfaces.

But both games are�different and, hopefully, will remain so if current trends help each to become stronger.

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