THANKS to the efforts of the late Eddie Waring, the culture of rugby league has always been saddled with an 'Early bath/Ee-lad/Well I'll go to the end of our road' image, which may have had some truth in the strict geographical sense of the game's roots in the north of England. But now that it is established on an international scale, with our own league peppered with players from Australia, New Zealand, France and the Pacific islands, the old stereotypes will not wash anymore. The game, as well as being big, intercontinental business, is just about the most physically demanding team sport that exists on this planet, with players requiring a phenomenal level of fitness. It can make the 15-man game look like hop-scotch, so perhaps that is the real reason the union authorities will not countenance a reconciliation of the two codes? BSkyB's coverage attempts to reflect the new modernity of rugby league, showing live domestic games on Friday and Sunday nights, as well as the main Australian club matches throughout the week. In every sense the programme title, The Big League (Sky Sports), is deserved.

'Seize the Day' intones a deep, non-Northern voice as the titles roll, not to colliery brass-band, Hovis-ad themes, but to thoroughly energising rave music.And throughout the match action, there is a welter of on-screen statistical information - tackle count, handling errors, possession percentages - which is not just window-dressing. It genuinely conveys the ebb and flow of a live match, adding substance to what the eye is trying to perceive. Yes, you pity the poor sod who has to log the tackles - there were 257 in the match I saw recently, which must have been like trying to count penguins in the Antarctic - but his, or her, consolation should be that the statistics are very much appreciated.But the real star of The Big League - apart from the 26, highly mobile players on the pitch - is the programme's 'colour commentator', Mike Stephenson. Dubbed 'Stevo' to add familiarity, the man needs no help in establishing his credentials as an outstanding performer with the microphone. The former Dewsbury forward has spent time Down Under, and brings a New World enthusiasm to his work.