Do the English from northern England care about the performance of the England national Rugby Union team?

Question

Do the English from northern England care about the performance of the England national Rugby Union team?

Answer 1

I'm from Sunderland and i care.

The Yorkies and Lancastrians don't care as much because that's a league stronghold. However in the North East all we really have is Union.

Answer 2

I do read some rubbish people write about the league v union debate. I'm a league supporter but will watch union, as will most of the people I know. Down the local amateur RL club where my son plays, they have the live RU on the telly in the club house when it's on.

The point where league supporters loose interest in union is when the game becomes a kick-a-thon, with each full back punting it to the other. Union became really exciting in the 90's when the emphasis changed from drop goals and penalties to scoring tries. Sadly my interest is starting to wane because there seems to be more kicking taking over again. However I do find the last ten minutes of union games tend to be excellent because one team invariable needs to score a try or two to win, and suddenly the game is opened out with lots of movement and passing.

So to answer your question, yes people do care about the England RU performances in the north of england. From my perspective, and I'm sure I'm not alone, I care more when they're playing expansive rugby.

One thing that really p1sses me off is how did rugby union suddenly become just rugby???

Answer 3

Of course they do, especially seeing as Jonny is a Newcaslte falcons lad. Rob Andrew linked to the Falcons.

Just because league is strong up north, it doesn't mean they don't care about union. and YES football is huge up there also, but that is a different game.

Answer 4

When I was living in Birmingham, my mates from Yorkshire would usualy support Wales when they were playing England because they didn't like the "up the jumper rugby that the soft southern pansies play". That was in the mid-90s though, so I don't know if they changed their mind when England's national team started playing a more expansive game and when a couple of union clubs started up in the North.

Answer 5

Only if its a world cup.

Answer 6

Personally I don't give a d**n about rugby, football or cricket. That goes for every other kind of athletic sport as well. I fancy that I am only one among millions that feel that way, so why are all the papers and newscasts full of this terminally boring tripe?

Answer 7

Not one bit

football is the way to go up here.

Answer 8

No. Check the attendances for Wakefield RU as opposed to Wakefield RL.

Answer 9

Yes they do.

But it is much like the interest in Cricket (i.e. Yorks vs Lans).

There is much more of a "community" involvement in sport up north, which is why there are accusations of parocialism. The truth is the supporters enjoy following their teams as a social event as well as anything else.

The comments about Football holding sway are valid, football remains the most attended sport by spectators. Rugby supporters generally (whichever code) will be less partisan if their team is not playing and might watch different teams just to see a game rather than not see a game.

International games are less accessible in Union to northern supporters than club (and recently England) football, rugby league and cricket. I would bet however, that international matches are watched if they don't clash.

Everywhere I have been in the UK, sports fans want their national team to do well - by that token they do "care".

Answer 10

What a stupid question, why wouldn't they?

Answer 11

Certainly do. I  have no time for that League rubbish, even though I'm from the town where it came into being.

My personal order of sporting preference is

Rugby Union

Football

Motor sport

Competitive ironing

Rugby League

Answer 12

depends what you class as northern, i am from west Yorkshire and my friends and myself are R.L through an d through but we all wish the best for our local and national team.

Answer 13

someone in da world's wrong, it's not football, it's rugby league. My husband will watch union, but league is more a northern game.

Answer 14

yes i follow the national teams results, but i was brought up in a rugby league area and that is my sport of choice.

at club level though it is a lot smaller game. (t'up north)

Answer 15

The answer to your question is YES. There are many good rugby union clubs in the the north of England. Many good players of both codes. have represented there county's and country. Long may it continue. Whatever your chosen code enjoy and respect the other.

Answer 16

no rl is the only code of rugby to watch

Answer 17

I know dozens of people including some in my family who support RU as well as RL. My brother has been to watch quite a few finals. Even though he himself used to play RL.

Answer 18

All English care about is football up there cuz they have no life