Johnny Vegas launches Super League XXII

While it's quite funny, and I like Vegas, I can't help but think that it plays to the 'Shouty thick Northerner' stereotype.

If you flip it around, would Union use a stereotypical 'toff' to belittle the RL peasants? It wouldn't would it?

I agree with you. Although it's a very enjoyable advert, I think it sends the wrong message. Both codes of rugby have an image problem: RL is generally perceived to be the sport of thick northerners and RU the preserve of the public schoolboys. RU have subtly addressed this in recent years by aiming at a "trench warfare" vibe. So, RU publicity now features lots of high definition black and white images of sweat stained,  mud covered blokes with determined looks on their faces, lots of rain, lots of rolling clouds (shamelessly nicked from Guinness ads, by the way), lots of darkness, etc. It appeals to the upper middle classes, who yearn for the opportunity to shout for those brave Eng-er-land boys from a nice, safe, Selfridges hamper based environment.

Meanwhile, we're still shovelling the fat northerner vibe.

Also, the slagging off of other sports - while amusing - is hardly going to endear us to followers of those sports.

Shame really. It's quite funny, but the sport would have been better served by something along the lines of the Wiggins/Tomkins thing of a few years ago.

Seems to have been made to suit the already converted League fan and not the unconverted

You are one 😉

Same here are kyd, literally half the man I was. Though this Belgium grog all the time is a challenge, never mind soon time to start supping the alcoholic enema juice in Barton.