I think the travelling fans of rugby league are against these mad Thursday fixtures, Sky do not seem to care about supporters logistical problems, empty grounds, disheartened supporters, no problem as long as the Sky subscribers keep forking out.

So Thursday fixtures broaden the wider television viewing audience on a night where RL does not compete with any other main stream sporting event.

Sky money has kept the game we love sustainable and enabled it on the whole to go full time in the summer era.

Isn't free or subsidised travel for away fans also offered?

But you're right Sky doesn't care.

Hate to think where our game would be if these subscribers didn't fork out showing interest and support for our sport.

I subscribe to Sky sports for the rugby alone.
Why not try looking at the broader spectrum before jumping to narrow minded conclusions.

Whist it's a massive inconvience I just can't understand why anybody would purchase train tickets/hotels or anything of the like before Sky have announced which games they'll be showing that weekend. It's not as if they've ever changed a game day before is it?

agree with you there warrior.

I agree that without Sky, the game would still be part time. I have no problem with Thursday games, as you say, it’s not competing against other sports at that time slot.

I do object to games being changed at such short notice and the fact that rugby factors are not considered (short turn around).

The Wigan game was originally scheduled for 5pm on a Saturday, something which has as been the case for the last two seasons with the Wigan home game. This gave Wigan fans a much better chance of attending live, which they have done in those last two seasons. Now there is a huge hurdle put in their place with a Thursday game. The there is the short turn around for Hull. There is no reason why the Hudds v Leeds game could not be the Thursday game rather than the Friday TV game. Even a further 24 hours would make a reasonable difference in prep time.

If (and that’s a big if) we win the semi, a 5pm Saturday kick off v a well supported Wigan and I reckon we could have been looking at a gate of 13-14k with a decent atmosphere. Now it will be about 10k with many unable to get there n Thursday (including myself).

With fans booking travel and sometimes rooms in advance to get reasonable prices, there should be a minimum lead time of TV schedules IMO.

I do agree a bit more thought has to go into the re organising and scheduling of games, whether that's Sky, the Super League governing body or both I know not.

I wouldn't be surprised if Clarky had some influence on this decision. Wigan having a week off, us having a short turnaround after a very hard game should see the pies cruise to a win.
I fear another embarrassing result is on the cards.

what makes it worse is Catalan never get put out,another club competing with us for 3rd place.hardly a level playing,before sky came on the scene we were part time,but the player skill level was far higher.

do you believe the garbage you come out with?!

Why was the skill level far higher????
A full time professional against a smoking, beer swilling part timer.

What is your beef with Catalan and the world this week?
All Catalan home games are a Saturday as they are shown live by a French broadcaster.
Give it a rest now and go take your meds.