In straitened times, rugby league’s temptation for retrenchment to its northern enclaves could be overwhelming. Not a bit of it, though. Spreading the word remains a central plank of the sport’s philosophy. In far-off Cheltenham on Sunday, expansion is at the heart of a seemingly unlikely opening-round tie in the Northern Rail Cup.
The University of Gloucestershire All Golds host their opening fixture at The Prince of Wales Stadium since being admitted to Championship One, against Hemel Stags, fellow newcomers to the restructured semi-professional game, but who do have experience of the Northern Rail Cup group stage from six years