You don't have to be good to be popular, both shite but very well marketed.
League has tried everything possible, they've tried France, Wales, London, Canada but failed miserably, they're taking the circus to Vegas, nobody is interested, it's a simple sport for simple minds, it's popularity is on the decline for a reason, it's not union.
Unfortunately, I think both codes of Rugby have potentially peaked.
League has tried to move outside Lancs & Yorks, but has failed, even in Wales & the North East where you would think there could be some see some support.
For Union, the English Premiership has lost 2 clubs in the last couple of years, so cannot really be judged a success story. In Wales the 4 regions are very poorly supported and the national team is ranked #12 in the World.
Only in Ireland does it seem to be succeeding and growing.
Scotland only has 2 teams with average support.
The fact is that both games are too wearing on the players are getting fecked-up with the constant tackling in League.
In Union, there is also the head/neck damage done by scrummaging and also regular head injuries.
Parents are taking their kids away from both codes because of serious potential injuries.
I love both codes, but feel that both have to introduce, at all levels, "safer" rules to decrease serious injuries.
The upcoming compensation claims from professional players may also be a reason why the rules will have to adapt...