Last week's (should that be last year's?) column, in which we suggested the NRL should look into owning at least part of the Australian Rugby Union, certainly attracted plenty of attention for a spot of mid-summer "day dreams and drivel".

There were those who said rugby league had nothing to gain from doing such a thing, or that it should do nothing to help the rival code, or that it should buy it out and shut it down.

Star in the making: Leeds recruit and former Newcastle Knight Adam Cuthbertson. Credit:Jonathan Carroll

Rugby union is a much, much bigger sport than rugby league globally. Rugby union in this country happens to be enduring a few challenges. That is an inversion of the relationship between the codes almost everywhere else – and there are still so many places where rugby union is the only version of the game.

I thought it might be instructive to list the things rugby league could reasonably ask for in return for bailing the ARU out – things which would be considered 'good business' in my view.