Could Super League help develop rugby league in Wales?

But it would be a mistake to simply bank that as history and not think about the here and now and the potential for the future.

Circumstances change.

Throughout the 20th century there was a steady stream of Welsh converts to the 13-man code – and some of those legendary players who were key to Saints’ successes from the 1950s onwards.

They are well-documented in the Saints history books - whether that is Glyn Moses, Steve Llewellyn and George Parsons from the first Saints’ Wembley success through to the greats of the 60s and 70s like Kel Coslett, John Mantle and Roy Mathias.

Although that supply was cut off and reversed when union went open in 1995, we have the dazzling footwork of Regan Grace to count our blessings for.

From the outset Wales and rugby league have a history that is littered with experiments, projects and missed opportunities.

As a sport it is pointless whipping ourselves over the lost chances to establish the 13-man code in Wales. Whether that is going back to the days of Ebbw Vale and Merthyr Tydfil in the first decade of the 20th century, or the failure to put a Welsh team in Super League in 1996 off the back of the World Cup momentum and household names playing the game then.

We have to learn the lessons of history but look at the future – and in doing so work out how a stronger Welsh game could be better for Super League, the England team and the sport in the Northern Hemisphere.

This is where we do need a whole game approach.

On the ground Wales Rugby League CEO Gareth Kear’s patient and diligent work is making gains – sufficient enough to sound an optimistic tone and announce international match on the international weekend of June 25-26.

There is ambition behind that approach and he is intent on boosting the profile of rugby league with a laudable strategy to build from the bottom up by creating sustainable community rugby league clubs, which includes women’s and junior teams.

There is no substitute for this patient grassroots work in building a base and spreading the game – particularly as they are getting the financial support from the Welsh Government.

However, if you look at the impact West Wales’ signing of Gavin Henson has had, then you do wonder whether that grassroots work in Wales could be boosted by a helping hand from above.

The household names do trigger interest, a reaction and press coverage.

As a force, Wales rugby league was arguably at its peak when the national team was beating England in the 1975 Battle of Brisbane in the World Championships or playing to a packed house at Swansea’s Vetch in the 1995 World Cup.

Underpinning those teams were big name union players who had gone north to St Helens, Widnes, Warrington and Wigan.

It meant that not only did the individual clubs benefit – and with it the profile of the league generally, but also the Welsh national team.

And a side effect of that is that England – and France for that matter – had a competitive annual international opposition on their doorstep.

That changed when union went professional. But there will be still be players open to switch, particularly those forwards with builds more suited to league and especially if there is a fall-out from post-pandemic cutbacks.

Which begs the question should all Super League clubs be given an incentive to recruit one Welsh player each, either in the form of a grant or a cap dispensation.

This in turn – if those players were successful in their new code – would bolster the Wales national squad playing pool.

And that would mean that instead of scrabbling around a cobbled together NRL team of imports, England would have a traditional opponent to face on their doorstep.

Secondly, if Super League was genuinely thinking strategically about the sport – growth, image, player and crowd and broadcast potential – then it would have a team from the rugby-mad hotbed of Wales in the top flight.

If that team battles to get there through promotion from the lowest rung, or is placed there under a licensing system is open to debate.

But given the proximity of Wales, the popularity of Cardiff as a Challenge Cup Final and Magic weekend venue, you would have thought it would have been pretty high up on targets for Super League expansion.