From an outsider looking in - rugby fan with no ties anymore to a club or to Darling Downs Rugby - I am really liking what is happening on the Downs. We have TGS and Downlands of course, but Downs Rugby also run a comp for non-traditional rugby schools which involves a number of State High Schools, Catholic Schools and other independent schools from Toowoomba, Warwick, Dalby and Plainland. There is a 15-a-side boys comp played on Friday nights in different age groups and later in the year a 7s comp for boys and girls. Smaller schools combine to form teams and the most promising sign was that Rugby League powerhouse St Mary's also played this year.
When you consider the Downs rugby products of recent years - the Smith brothers, Mack Mason, Harry Hoopert, Hamish Stewart, Mac Grealy, Jonah Placid to name just a few - I think it would be great to see a Downs team in the QPR. You wonder just how much hidden talent there is up here. I'm sure there are a lot of top players who don't want to leave the bush but would be able to cope playing at a higher level.
Not sure how it would affect the local Risdon Cup though.