It was supposed to be the year when it all changed. Johnny Wilkinson’s extra time drop goal in 2003 had defeated Australia, and for the first time since 1966, England had won a World Cup.

Sir Clive Woodward and his side returned to the UK as heroes. Millions attended the Trafalgar Square victory parade. Knighthoods, MBEs and OBEs followed. This was the dawn of the golden age for Rugby Union and, according to the sport's publicity machine, the death knell was sounding for their great rivals and the game of Rugby League.

Four years on, things could not be more different. England have dropped to seventh in the Union world rankings, and have little or no hope of retaining their world crown; and there has been turmoil in the domestic game. A series of disputes, between the RFU and its Premiership clubs has threatened the structure of the game and, at one stage,  placed the future of the Heineken Cup – the sport’s European flagship competition – in doubt.

'Rugby League could soon become the nation’s most popular spectator sport at club level, behind football'


Meanwhile in the world of Rugby League, under the astute leadership of Chief Executive Richard Lewis, there is a different picture emerging. For the first time in a number of years, the game is unified and operating in profit, and with the Super League competition attracting record numbers, Rugby League could soon become the nation’s most popular spectator sport, at club level, behind football.

But it is at grassroots and in the area of youth development where Rugby League is making the more significant advances. The game is booming at amateur level. As well as the traditional winter competition, that continues in the heartlands of the game, there is now the Rugby League Summer Conference tournament. The Conference boasts over 80 sides playing in 13 divisions ranging from the North East of England to Devon, and from Wales to East Anglia; many with thriving junior sections.

And the way in which Rugby League develops its Academy players in the professional game has attracted the attention of football. Richard Lewis was recently recruited by football’s three governing bodies – the Football League, the Premier League and the FA – to review youth player development within football.

In Rugby Union youth development is heading in a different direction. A number of Premiership clubs, including Northampton, have been accused of ignoring youth development; instead concentrating on building teams of overseas imports, a factor which, it is claimed, is partly responsible for England’s recent poor performances at International level.

Four years is a long time in sport and while Rugby Union has failed to capitalise on the benefits that winning the World Cup should have brought, Rugby League has taken the time out of the limelight to restructure and strengthen, and is moving into a prosperous era for the sport. Rugby Union needs to take stock. They may have tempted Lesley Vainikolo but, it appears, that the 13-a-side game is reaping much bigger rewards, the future of English rugby.