Rugby league struck a blow for culture this week. While union national sides went on summer tours to renew old acquaintances in familiar places, league announced the setting up of a three-year BA Honours course in Sports Studies - Rugby League, which will lead to a degree from Manchester University.

The course does not require students to actually play the game and does not discriminate against women, who are free to apply to Warrington Collegiate Institute, a faculty within the university.

Instead rugby "buggers" and "huggers" can wallow without fear of serious injury. They will study the rich history and development of the game, its growth as a business and its cultural significance.

Just one question. Could all that not be done in a pub?